Dames en heren, Welkom,

Ambassador of Greece Dear Caterina (Ghini), Kalimera,

Dear Friends,

It is aprivilege for me to be here this evening to attend a very meaningfulcollaboration of Turkish and Greek artists. I would like thank the Yunus EmreInstitute for organizing and OBA Central Library for hosting this event.

Turkish and Greek peoples share a long history. Furthermore, two nations stood together in difficult times. During the Second World War they cooperated on humanitarian assistance.

One of my predecessors Ambassador Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoğlu have opened our Embassy to the then Greek Ambassador. They faced the difficulties of the German attack and occupation together in our Residence. This cooperation continued later in the Cold War in NATO.

We are participating today’s event while we are commemorating the centennial of the Friendship Agreement between
the Republic of Türkiye and the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed in 1924. This year is also the 60^th anniversary of the signutarue of the Bilateral Labor Agreement. In fact, fate of two nations were again together. Turks and Greeks have started to come to this country together.

These features are evident, among others, in our outlook to life, moods, food, culture and the music we listen to. Indeed, music has been an important medium in bridging the two nations throughout history. We have understood each other better with the common tunes emanating from both sides of the Aegean.

In addition to such cultural exchanges, Turkish-Greek relations have recently seen a fresh impetus starting with the state visit to Greece by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last December, and to continue with the upcoming visit to Türkiye in May by Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis. These exchanges are yet another example of the political will present in both countries to bridge differences.

I am sure that we will hear both quite familiar tunes as well as quite new renditions and original pieces from the “2Lips (Tulips) Band” tonight. Their name is quite fitting in reflecting their Turkish, Greek and Dutch backgrounds.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to salute their collaboration and wish you all an enjoyable evening.