Distinguished guests,

It is my pleasure to speak to you here today at the Yunus Emre Institute, on an occasion with special significance in the centuries-old Turkish-Dutch relations. Indeed, Turks and Dutch peoples have been in contact with each other for nearly 500 years. And there are many historical and cultural connections. Today, we are here to commemorate one of thoseconnections which is an outstanding historic bond among the two nations that actually originates before the establishment of the Ottoman State in late 13^th century.

I am of course referring to the Testa Family. Their story begins with Pasquale Testa, a Dutch tradesman who had settled together with his family in the then Genovese colony of Galata, Istanbul in 1261. In time, family members rose to prominent positions in the administration of the colony. And after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, Testa Family’s administrative skills were recognized by the Ottomans, and in due course they wereemployed by the Ottoman Empire as interpreters and mediators with other European powers. The last member of the family to have lived in the Ottoman Empire, Gaspar Testa, was the representative of the Kingdom of The Netherlands as a diplomat and eventually Ambassador in Istanbul during the first half of the 19^th century.

Gaspard Testa is the focus of today’s event. In 1815, the Royal Minister of the Dutch Crown informed First Minister or Sadrazam Hurşit Ahmet Paşa by letter of the appointment of Gaspar Testa as envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, until the arrival of the new Dutch ambassador who was to travel from the United States, and the Dutch side wanted to keep the embassy active in the interim period with a view to maintain the excellent relations with the Ottoman Empire.

During the presentation of my credentials to His Majesty King willem-Alexander on 15 February 2023, I also presented a copy of that very letter, which signifies the importance of not only the Testa Family,but also the historical depth of Turkish-Dutch relations.

On the occasion of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Archives of Türkiye and the Netherlands tomorrow, Director of the National Archives of the Presidency of Türkiye, Associate Professor Mr. Muhammed Ahmet Tokdemir has also brought a special copy of the letter, which will be presented to the remaining descendants of the Testa Family shortly.

Since we never forget our friends, the Turkish Embassy in the Hague has always been and is still in close contact today with the Testa Family. Today’s event is yet another occasion to honor our friends.

I would like to thank the Yunus Emre Institute for hosting this event, and I also thank you for your participation.