On the occasion of the 2016 National Day of the Republic of Turkey on Friday (October 28), Việt Nam News presents an article written by Ambassador of Turkey to Việt Nam, Akif Ayhan.

Founded 93 years ago by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who led the nation’s war of liberation and whose vision enlightened not only the Turkish nation but also the world, Turkey today stands proud to be a secular democracy, an active member of the Euro-Atlantic community, the 18^th largest economy in the world, supported by a dynamic private sector and a young population, which grants Turkey a place among G-20 countries. We are proud of sharing this glorious time in 2016 with the people and authorities of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam.

As we approach the centennial of our Republic, Turkey gets more closely connected to different parts of the world. This is perhaps best illustrated by our growing diplomatic presence in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are confident that by 2023, our Republic’s centenary, Turkey will have made further strides at home and substantially increased her contributions to international peace, development and prosperity.

The country has set itself a number of objectives in the perspective of 2023. Among them are becoming one of the world’s top 10 economies, achieving a GDP of US$ 2 trillion, reaching an annual trade volume of US$1 trillion, and receiving 50 million tourists a year.

The Turkish economy has reached US$720 billion of GDP, with a growth rate of 4 per cent in 2015, becoming the 7^th largest economy in Europe and the 18^th in the world. It is expected to grow 3.8 per cent in 2016 and 3.4 per cent in 2017.

Currently, Turkey is one of the prominent actors in its region. In 2015, exports reached US$143.8 billion and Turkish imports were recorded at US$207.2 billion. Turkish exports are expected to exceed US$155 billion by the end of 2016.

Việt Nam also has similar targets for the foreseeable future, the most important of which is to become a fully industrialized nation by the year 2020. With a view to accomplishing its national aims, Vietnam is working hard to improve its infrastructure, energy, education, health, tourism and other areas. All these sectors are also those in which Turkey has accumulated knowledge, experience, know-how and expertise. The two countries can work together to learn and benefit from the best practices of each other in a number of fields.

In fact, the two countries and their peoples converge on a number of aspects. At international fora, the two extend support and provide incentives to each other.

Turkey and Việt Nam also attach importance to people-to-people contacts. The launching of passenger flights from/to Hà Nội by Turkish Airlines in July this year that proved to be a major factor for a leap forward in our multifaceted interaction. We believe that this new flight route will not only accelerate cooperative activities in tourism, culture, education and social fields, but also help increase our bilateral trade volume from US$1.9 billion in 2015.

The year 2016 is special for both our nations. Since early this year, Việt Nam has made remarkable changes through the election of new Party leaders and appointment of members of the cabinet, which are promising a refreshing wind for the country’s politics, economy and society. Meanwhile, Turkey experienced unexpected developments that put our country under an emergency situation. The terrorist coup attempt in July, despite its consequences of death and injury, was foiled. Such a large scale conspiracy will not keep us from advancing along the path to progress; rather it was an opportunity for our country to clean up the State apparatus, restore Constitutional order and thus recover stability.

Prospects for our brighter future cooperation are clear. The Embassy of Turkey in Hà Nội is planning to expand its endeavours to diverse parts of Việt Nam in order to create favourable conditions for mutual business transactions.  In addition, it has been made possible for Vietnamese people fulfilling certain criteria to get fast e-visas for Turkey, in addition to a favourable approach toward individual and group visa applications through the Consular Section of the Embassy of Turkey to Việt Nam. We believe that a Visa Facilitation Agreement would also further promote contacts and businesses.

In 2018 we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of our diplomatic ties with Việt Nam. There is no doubt that both Turkey and Việt Nam are headed toward a propitious future and will pursue their journey with resolve. We are also confident that the bonds of amity and cooperation between our two countries will grow even stronger in time, allowing us to celebrate many more achievements. — VNS