Balloons in Capadocia, a beautiful sight for any tourist in Turkey. — Photo courtesy of the Embassy

 

On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Turkey today, Việt Nam News presents an article written by Ambassador of Turkey to Việt Nam, Akif Ayhan.

On every October 29, citizens of Turkey celebrate the birthday of their Republic. The nation pays tribute to the Republic’s founder and First President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This year is the 96th anniversary of the proclamation of our Republic. 

Our Republic is resilient against all odds and pursues her journey to further development. This drive is based on rule of law, streamlined governance and private enterprise. 

Through reforms conducted under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has achieved higher standards in the education, science, technology, tourism, transportation, industry and health sectors.

On the way to the centennial of the Republic, Turkey has adopted objectives attainable towards 2023. Among them are becoming one of the world’s top 10 economies, achieving GDP of US$2 trillion, reaching annual trade volume of $1 trillion, and welcoming 50 million tourists a year.

Guided by Ataturk’s motto “Peace at home, peace in the world”, Turkey has not only become a leading donor but also a safe haven for numerous people escaping dire conditions. Turkey has assumed growing responsibilities as a major actor within the international community in line with her multidimensional foreign policies.  

Turkey indeed follows an “enterprising and humanitarian foreign policy” axed on regional and global security and stability.

To improve soft-power leverage in her interactions, Turkey carries out active diplomacy by expanding her worldwide reach via an extended diplomatic network.

This year also marks the 41st anniversary of the establishment of Turkey's diplomatic ties with Việt Nam. 

We are joyous that the bonds of friendship linking Turkey and Việt Nam are thriving. In addition to official channels of communications, people-to-people contacts keep growing and diversifying.

Education is a promising area of co-operation. Turkey grants university scholarships and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey hosts young Vietnamese diplomats within training programmes with ASEAN.

To strengthen common ground and to cater to incremental demand in exchanges, we expect Việt Nam and Turkey to raise public awareness of each other by fostering fertile collaboration in tourism, trade and investment flows, mutual economic endeavours and cultural promotion.

To achieve such objectives, an essential step is facilitating visa regime rocedures. Vietnamese citizens can enter Turkey with fast e-visa. Furthermore, daily flights operated by Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Hà Nội and HCM City provide a fast and efficient way of transportation.

Turkey attaches particular importance to connecting with other actors at global scale. In this light, Southeast Asia is a focal point for Turkey. This is best explained by the 'Asia Anew' policy announced recently by Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. The initiative will encompass and highlight Turkey's openings towards Southeast Asia and ASEAN.

As 2020 ASEAN Chaircountry and UNSC 2020-21 non-permanent member, Việt Nam occupies a pivotal position within the new Turkish initiative. Apart from some achievements, plus solidarity demonstrated at regional and international forums, Turkey-Việt Nam potential has not been fully tapped.

Việt Nam is on a path to further modernisation through comprehensive and peaceful development whereas Turkey for her part has worked to be able to deepen co-operation with Việt Nam. The two countries can work together to learn and benefit from their best practices.

Geography and history have endowed both countries with valuable assets. As an influential member and Chair of ASEAN in 2020, Việt Nam could play a major role in realisation of Turkey’s quest for elevating her ties with ASEAN to new heights. Turkey, in return, could assist Viet Nam in expanding access to the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

The Turkish-Vietnamese partnership is expected to yield more results in the not-so-distant future. Bonds of amity and co-operation between our two countries will grow even stronger in time and the Embassy is ready to work with Vietnamese authorities and civil society towards this perspective. 

On this occasion, we greet the readers of Việt Nam News with our earnest sentiments, while wishing well to the friendly people of Việt Nam and their eminent leaders. — VNS