In a previous article, I shared the fascinating story of my appointment as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica and recounted what we accomplished in 2008, the year I began this honored position. You can find the relevant article at http://www.serhansuzer.com/2014/10/23/kosta-rika-istanbul-fahri-konsolosu-olarak-yasadiklarim/#more-1301.
This time, I will share with you my memories of a meeting we significantly contributed to, a milestone in Costa Rica-Turkey relations, the visit of Costa Rican President Oscar Arias to our country in 2009. This visit also marked a first in the history of the Republic of Turkey. It was the first time a Central American President made an official visit to Turkey. Since then, bilateral relations have intensified, and economic and cultural relations between states have continuously developed.
First of all, I would like to emphasize that Oscar Arias is no ordinary head of state. He is a prominent figure in Latin America, having won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for initiating the agreement that led to the disarmament of guerrillas in Central America. After he appointed me Honorary Consul of Costa Rica in 2008, I traveled to Costa Rica almost every year, making sure to visit him each time. I continued my visits after his term ended.
A picture taken during one of my first visits to Costa Rica.
During one of my visits during his presidency, I believe it was in the summer of 2009, he asked me, “Is there anything you need from me?” I explained how important it was for him to make an official visit to Turkey to accelerate the development of relations between Costa Rica and Turkey. After considering this, he got back to me a few weeks later, informing me that he was traveling to Europe in November and could come to Turkey at the same time.
I responded to this good news by saying, “I’m initiating the necessary procedures immediately” and contacted the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They suggested I initiate the official process. I then contacted the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and requested an official letter. A few weeks later, this letter reached the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the official process began. Subsequently, a very intense bilateral meeting regarding the event ensued. As the Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica, we were at the center of this traffic, working diligently to expedite the process and develop a better program. Finally, the big day arrived, and Costa Rican President Oscar Arias’ official visit to Turkey began on November 23, 2009. While I won’t delve into the details here, I can’t help but mention the intensity of the program. As you’ll notice, the visit’s itinerary, which I’ve summarized below, was a formidable series of events.
Istanbul Program:
- Interview with Hürriyet newspaper
- Bahçeşehir University program:
- Official speeches
- Awarding of an honorary doctorate to President Oscar Arias
- Signing of a cooperation agreement between the United Nations Peace University and Bahçeşehir University
- CNN Türk interview
- Dinner with businesspeople and opinion leaders organized by the Foreign Affairs and Economic Council (DEIK)
Ankara Program:
- Visit to Anıtkabir
- Hosting President Abdullah Gül at the Presidential Residence
- Bilateral meeting of Heads of State
- Meeting of Foreign Ministers with Heads of State
- Interview at the Presidential Residence
- Conference by President Arias at Ankara University
- Unveiling ceremony of the bust of renowned Costa Rican author Jorge Bravo in the garden of the Ankara University Latin American Studies Research and Development Center after the conference
- Meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament at the Turkish Grand National Assembly
- Dinner invitation at the Presidential Residence
I will not go into the details of the meetings held during this very busy two-day program due to confidentiality. I should note that as a result of the decisions taken after these meetings, bilateral relations saw rapid progress in all areas.
I can also add that the meeting with businesspeople in Istanbul was successful, that I was personally deeply moved by the official parade following the visit to Anıtkabir, and that the dinner at the Presidential Residence was an extremely cordial and enjoyable experience.
“Hello Soldier” Project
As part of the official welcoming ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, the President was required to say “Hello Soldier” and then receive a resounding “Thank you” from the soldiers. Since I was traveling in the same vehicle as the President, I had to explain all of this to him. While I was wondering how sarcastic it was to make the head of state of a country without an army say “Hello Soldier,” I was also trying to approximate Oscar Arias’s accent to Turkish. Fortunately, I managed to fully explain the ceremony details to him in an entertaining conversation before the official welcome. In the end, everything went smoothly. Here are some photos from this official visit:
I also gave a speech at a meeting with businesspeople in Istanbul. To provide a general overview of Costa Rica and Costa Rica-Turkey relations, I am sharing the English translation of my speech below:
Your Excellency President Arias, Distinguished Guests from Costa Rica, and Dear Friends,
First of all, I would like to thank you all for the honor of being here with us.
Costa Rica, with its nature, its people, its social opportunities, and its people’s belief in peace, has always captivated me since my first visit in 2007. These are just a few of the elements that elevate this magnificent country to another level. And, of course, its boundless belief in education and the opportunities it provides its people. Costa Rica is one of the most educated countries in the world, with a literacy rate of up to 97%. But beyond this, the warmth, hospitality, and positive energy of the Costa Rican people are also unique. Because of the friendships that began on my first trip and my love for this country, I accepted the position of Honorary Consul without hesitation. I would like to thank His Excellency President Oscar Arias Sanchez for bestowing this honor upon me.
Since becoming Honorary Consul, my greatest goal has been to strengthen the friendship between our two countries. Increasing cultural relations and trade volume between our countries remains one of my most important goals. We have taken significant steps in these areas. For example, we brought together Costa Rican coffee producers and Turkish coffee importers. We also brought together Turkish textile producers and pharmaceutical companies with Costa Rican importers.
I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you our work in the tourism sector. We introduced Costa Rican and Turkish travel agencies and tour companies. As a result of this work, tourism potential in both countries has increased. We were congratulated by the Costa Rican Ministry of Tourism for tripling the number of Turkish tourists in the first six months of this year. Of course, tourism is important to us because it allows us to learn about each other and our cultures. Therefore, I am very pleased to see tourism figures increasing each year. Although Costa Rica is located on the other side of the world, it is not that far away. I’m not talking about different opportunities or different routes to get there. I’m talking about the similarities between the two countries, both culturally and in terms of their people. These similarities bring these two countries together in a way that sets a world example. However, it’s impossible to understand these similarities without experiencing Costa Rica. If you’ve never been to Costa Rica before, I recommend adding it to your list of must-see destinations.
Costa Rica shouldn’t be seen solely as a tourist destination. It’s also a chosen investment destination for global companies, and it’s becoming increasingly important in this regard. We have many prominent Turkish businesspeople with us tonight. Therefore, I’d like to provide a little more detail. Costa Rica received the Financial Times’ “Destination to Invest” award in 2007 and 2008. This award alone demonstrates how important Costa Rica has become.
Costa Rica is home to major international companies in software and medical equipment. It is becoming increasingly important in technological development and manufacturing. On the other hand, companies working in various fields are also choosing Costa Rica for investment. Turkish companies making international investments should also take advantage of this opportunity. Costa Rica has many advantages in the region. It has been described as the Switzerland of Latin America. I recommend that those considering investing in Latin America start in Costa Rica. Costa Rica will be an important reference point for you, and just like Turkey, its geopolitical situation will provide you with a significant advantage.
After all this information, you might ask how a country so intertwined with technology has managed to preserve its natural beauty. The answer lies in renewable energy. 95% of the energy used in homes and factories in Costa Rica comes from renewable energy. Thus, Costa Rica continues to attract investors from around the world while preserving its natural resources. In other words, its passion and respect for life go hand in hand with its environmentally conscious approach.
I would like to take this opportunity to convey a message to both the Turkish and Costa Rican Ministries of Foreign Affairs. As Honorary Consuls, we have served 18 countries. Due to our central location in Istanbul, we receive requests from Central Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Costa Rica is like a bridge extending to Central and South America. Therefore, I believe it is crucial for these two geopolitically important countries to open mutual embassies. I hope I can realize this dream, which will further advance relations. Finally, I have another dream: the signing of a free trade agreement to increase trade between our two countries.
I’d like to conclude with a Costa Rican proverb. As they say in Costa Rica, where working for a good life is the fundamental philosophy, I too say, “Pura Vida.” I hope you have a great night. Thank you… Gracias…
Finally, as I mentioned in my speech, I’d like to mention that I personally enjoyed the conversations of Oscar Arias, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning President of Costa Rica, due to his intellectual wealth. It was an added pleasure to listen to his speech. I’m sharing the translation of his speech in Spanish for your understanding:
His Excellency Abdullah Gül, President of the Republic of Turkey, My Dear Friends:
Yunus Emre, one of the esteemed poets of this land, said: “If you haven’t managed to understand yourself, all you’ve learned is in vain… The most important journey is one made to the heart.”
For me and the country I represent, this trip to Turkey means much more than crossing seas. It’s a journey into the heart of a great nation, one of the world’s richest cultures, a champion of peace and tolerance in the Middle East, and all of humanity. Most importantly, it’s a journey into the hearts of extraordinary people who share our hopes. Tonight, I’m a traveler far from home. But I’m also an ambassador from a land of peace that has found the same hopes in Turkey as its own.
Being at the Presidential Residence reflects the life and legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic and a man who taught all nations profound lessons. He once said that preparing for the future “means strengthening the natural bridges that exist between us. Language is a bridge. Religion is a bridge. History is a bridge. We must delve deeply into our roots and reunite what history has divided.” Tonight, I’m proud to play a role in building the Bridge of Friendship, the most important bridge between our two countries. I’m proud to play a role in bringing together the people of two countries, torn apart by geography, vast religious tides, and powerful linguistic waves, yet rooted in the same values. As two nations, we share a belief in the power of education and democracy. We share a belief in a future of change and progress. We share a belief that the peace and tolerance that have transformed our countries will transform all nations.
I raise my glass to my gracious host and the nation he leads. To the friendship between Costa Rica and Turkey, to the prosperity and health of both countries… To the coming together of two cultures and the healing of what history has divided… And to the journey into the hearts of two countries… To the hearts of those two nations beating to realize the same dream: Peace at Home, Peace in the World!
Cheers…
Oscar Arias Sanchez
President of Costa Rica
November 25, 2009, Ankara
I take this opportunity to wish him and his family a healthy and prosperous life. Speaking of his family, I want to emphasize that they are extremely humble and good people, and that I have never lost contact with them. I last hosted his brother, Rodrigo Arias, in Istanbul at the end of March. Mr. Rodrigo Arias is also a prominent statesman. He is an important figure who served as assistant to Oscar Arias and held the equivalent of our prime ministerial position for years.
A photo taken with Rodrigo Arias in Istanbul in the last days of March.
