99th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye

Message by H.E. Ms. Serap Ersoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Thailand

Today, the Turkish nation proudly celebrates the 99th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye. On this happy occasion, I would like to extend my sincerest greetings to the Turkish community in Thailand and to our Thai friends.

On 29 October 1923, the Turkish Grand National Assembly proclaimed the Republic of Türkiye and named Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who led the Turkish War of Independence to victory, as its first President. Since then, Türkiye has undertaken comprehensive and far reaching political and social reforms by embracing universal values of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. 

Today, Türkiye has become one of the world’s largest economies, supported by a dynamic private sector and a young, well-educated population. Also in its favour, Türkiye is an active member of the Euro-Atlantic institutions, a global soft power, a humanitarian actor, a trusted mediator, a staunch supporter of effective multilateralism and an important contributor to stability in a region full of conflicts and unrest. 

Guided by her enduring objective to achieve ‘Peace at home, peace in the world’ as set out by the founder of our Republic, Atatürk, Türkiye seeks, cultivates, helps and maintains peace in the world. Turkish foreign policy aims to shape conditions for sustainable peace and development, in addition to maintaining security and contributing to prosperity in her neighbourhood and beyond. 

Pursuant to these goals, Türkiye implements an ‘Enterprising and Humanitarian Foreign Policy’ that in our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s words, “reflects the enterprising spirit and humanitarian values of our nation.” 

The world is going through a period where uncertainties, crises, conflicts, and economic hardships are rising. We know that genuine solutions to existing problems can only be achieved through dialogue, cooperation and diplomacy. Recently, Türkiye played a major role in brokering a deal to establish a grain corridor. We hope that this development contributed to alleviating a possible global food crisis. Meanwhile, we make considerable efforts to reduce global vulnerabilities. Türkiye, aware of its humanitarian responsibilities, is home to over 4 million people who fled their countries for safety. 

In line with the enterprising aspect of her foreign policy, Türkiye aims to strengthen her existing strategic relations, to re-energise regional cooperation mechanisms and to expand horizons of her foreign policy by pursuing partnership policies reaching out to Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific. In doing so, Türkiye uses several complementary political, economic, humanitarian and cultural tools and conducts diplomacy that thinks globally but also acts locally in every corner of the world. With 255 diplomatic and consular missions, Türkiye spawned the 5th largest network globally.

As the Easternmost European and Westernmost Asian country, The Asia Anew initiative announced in 2019, has given Türkiye the opportunity to lay foundations of a holistic and comprehensive policy towards Asia and the Pacific, home to the rising powers of the 21st century. Türkiye has opened new missions in the ASEAN countries and, today, we are proud to have Embassies in every ASEAN member state. 

2022 marks the 64th anniversary of long-lasting friendship between Türkiye and Thailand. Both our nations have enjoyed friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1958. However, the contact between our countries can be traced back as far as 120 years. Prince Damrong’s visit in the late 19th Century to İstanbul on his way to Continental Europe, though unplanned, turned out to be a most rewarding encounter between the two countries. The truly positive feelings and perceptions that formed between the Ottoman Sultan and the Thai Prince at that time are not surprising. Both our countries have deep histories, rich cultures and above all warm and hospitable peoples. 

Today, I am glad to see that Turkish-Thai relations progress with a positive agenda and there is a will on both sides to enhance our cooperation. 

Türkiye and Thailand are among the key drivers in their regions, with a goal-oriented dynamism based on great potential. Trade volume between the two countries was about US$1.8 billion in 2021. Talks are underway for a Free Trade Agreement. Some of our leading companies such as BEKO, HİDROMEK, KORDSA, and Tuğba Dairy are investing in Thailand to export their products to East and South Asia. Many more firms such as Hayat Kimya, Farplas have entered the Thai market with brand new investments as well. Turkish Airlines flights between İstanbul and Bangkok increased from once daily to 2 times a day and it opened its 300th route to Phuket. 

Türkiye is also a hub for production similar to Thailand. Therefore, by establishing their presence in Türkiye, Thai firms can reach a geography including Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean economic zone. Türkiye truly is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. 

Technology, connectivity, digitalisation and green economy are subjects of mutual interest for Türkiye and Thailand. There is great potential to be realised by both civil society and private sectors. Moreover, expanding our trade and increasing investments reciprocally between our countries will solidify our cooperation even more. Time is ripe for seizing the opportunity. We call on Thai private sectors to benefit from the advantages of doing business with Türkiye. 

Bilateral relations between Türkiye and Thailand have gained another important dimension with the presence of increasing numbers of Thai students studying in our country. Many Thai students benefitted from various scholarships programmes. We will continue to encourage Thai students to apply for the best education opportunities in Türkiye. 

Sports play a crucial role in bringing nations and cultures together. I am happy to note that the Thai national sport, Muay Thai, is increasingly becoming popular in Türkiye. The Turkish team ranked 2nd in the World Muay Thai Championships held in Bangkok last year. 

Besides vibrant bilateral relations, Türkiye and Thailand also cooperate in multilateral platforms, especially at the UN. Solution of global challenges which depends on collective efforts forged by cooperation and effective multilateralism. This reality guides Türkiye’s active diplomacy within multilateral fora. 

Türkiye supports regional ownership and solutions for regional problems. In this respect, Türkiye attaches great importance to its relations with ASEAN; and has now become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner with ASEAN, also with the support of Thailand. Our ‘Asia Anew Initiative’ will present a further impetus to expanding our bilateral cooperation in addition to our existing cooperation within ASEAN. This initiative is a long-term endeavour through which we expect to achieve tangible results on the basis of common interests and shared benefits. 

In 2023, the Republic of Türkiye will proudly celebrate its centennial anniversary. Türkiye stands ready to continue to flourish dynamically and make positive contributions as a reliable and responsible global actor. 2023 will also mark 65 years of Turkish-Thai relations. I am confident that bonds of amity and close cooperation between our two countries will grow even stronger in time. 

With these thoughts, as we reach the 99th anniversary of Türkiye’s foundation, I celebrate once again 29 October Republic Day.

Address:
Embassy of Türkiye to Thailand
1601, 1617, 1617/1, 16th Floor, Tower I, Empire Tower,
1 South Sathon Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok 10120
Tel: +66 (0) 2355 5486
Email: [email protected]