5 Years as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica (2010-2015)

In my last article, I stated that the visit of the Costa Rican President to Turkey in November 2009 marked a turning point in relations. I also noted that numerous developments followed, both intergovernmentally and economically and culturally. I also emphasized that this was the first official visit by a Head of State from Central America to Turkey in the history of the Republic of Turkey. In this article, I wrote about the period from that date to 2015.

In addition to this historic visit, other significant events in 2008 and 2009 included Costa Rican Independence Day celebrations and interuniversity agreements. During this period, cooperation agreements were signed between Koç University and INCAE, Latin America’s leading business school, and Bahçeşehir University and the United Nations-affiliated World Peace University.

A picture of us taken in 2009 with the then Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno.

Below, I would like to share with you, in chronological order, the important work we carried out between 2010 and 2015, in addition to routine consular work.

2010

• Independence Day/Week events: To celebrate Independence Day, we organized two important events at the Cervantes Institute. First, as a cultural and promotional event, we organized an exhibition of beautiful photographs taken in Costa Rica. We also organized a cultural exchange and film week at the Cervantes Institute. We also screened films by prominent Costa Rican directors for a week at the Cervantes Institute.

At the opening conference of the event at the Cervantes Institute, I gave a speech with Antonio Gil, Director of the Cervantes Institute. I also shared my feelings and experiences about Costa Rica.

At the Cervantes event, we met with Costa Rican friends living in Istanbul.

• Increasing trade: We have initiated important efforts to promote Costa Rica’s export products to importers in Turkey and to develop bilateral trade relations.

 

2011

• Costa Rica visit: We organized a trip to Costa Rica, which attracted considerable interest from the business community. We were warmly welcomed and held productive meetings with relevant ministries.
• Procomer (Foreign Trade Agency) event: We organized an event at DEİK (Foreign Economic Relations Board) for Edgar Sanchez, the regional director of this important institution.

A cooperation agreement was signed between DEİK and Procomer during Edgar Sanchez’s visit.

• Director Hilda Hidalgo’s visit to Turkey: We hosted Hilda Hidalgo, one of Costa Rica’s leading directors, in Turkey. That same weekend, we held a screening of the renowned director’s film, Del Amor y Otros Demonios (Love and Other Demons), which holds a significant place in the art world, at the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. Attendees at this special screening exceeded our expectations. The museum’s cinema was packed for two days. On the day of the film’s premiere, Hilda Hidalgo gave a speech and answered questions.

 

A news report about Hilda Hidalgo. 

At the opening with Hilda Hidalgo and Istanbul Modern cinema program representative.

• Introducing travel agencies to mutually develop tourism: To increase the tourism potential between the two countries, we introduced travel agencies in Turkey to Costa Rica. While there have been mutual developments in tourism since then, I’m confident that the real breakthrough will come when Turkish Airlines launches direct flights to Costa Rica. I believe this will happen soon.

• Costa Rican folklore group visits Turkey: In 2008, we hosted the ‘Pacuare Duchi’ group, and this year, we hosted the folklore and dance group (Inspiraciones Costarricenses – Costa Rican Inspiration). We did everything we could to ensure their comfort in Turkey. The show was a wonderful one.

 

2012

 

• Costa Rican Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo’s official visit: The visit of Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo, who was officially hosted by the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was another significant development in relations between the two countries. I believe this trip, in addition to being the setting for intense discussions, served to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. We were warmly welcomed in Ankara, and as a result, the decision was made to open bilateral embassies. Significant progress was made toward establishing a Costa Rican embassy in Turkey, a key goal for us. Furthermore, work was underway on double taxation and civil aviation agreements.

 

Photo taken after Minister Castillo’s visit to Anıtkabir in Ankara.

A photo taken after a meeting with then-Minister of Transportation Binali Yıldırım.

• Sister City Agreement Signed Between the Municipality of Santa Ana, Costa Rica, and the Municipality of the Princes’ Islands, Istanbul: During Foreign Minister Castillo’s official visit to Istanbul, we held an event we all truly enjoyed. We facilitated the introduction of Gerardo Espinosa, Mayor of Santa Ana, a neighbor of the capital San Jose, and Mustafa Farsakoğlu, Mayor of the Princes’ Islands district of Istanbul, establishing a sister city agreement between these two districts, both of which boast stunning natural beauty. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Mayor of the Princes’ Islands for hosting us at a wonderful official ceremony.

 

A photo from the official signing ceremony held in Büyükada with the participation of Foreign Affairs Minister Castillo and Princes’ Islands Mayor Farsakoğlu.

2013

• Visits to Costa Rica: We conducted two working visits to Costa Rica in February and December. During these visits, the foundations for the Civil Aviation Agreement were laid. The embassy is in the final stages of opening.
• Signing of the Civil Aviation Agreement: Tourism Minister Allan Flores visited Turkey to sign the Civil Aviation Agreement between Turkey and Costa Rica. This agreement was officially signed at a ceremony held in Izmir in May.

Minister of Tourism Allan Flores and Minister of Transportation Binali Yıldırım officially signing the agreement in Izmir.

• Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo’s final official visit to Ankara: Castillo visited Turkey once again to attend the opening of the Costa Rican Embassy in Ankara. Details were worked out, and the final decision was made. The agreement was signed.

2014

• The determination of different locations and personnel selection for the opening of the embassy have been completed.
• Costa Rican Foreign Minister Mr. Manuel Gonzalez visited Turkey in October and inaugurated the Costa Rican Embassy. He also organized meetings with the Ministry of Economy and Turkish Airlines in Istanbul.

 

A photo taken at the opening of the Costa Rican Embassy.

Official delegations, led by Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez and then-Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekçi, met at a meeting organized by DEİK.

Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez visited Turkish Airlines General Manager Temel Kotil.

2015

• The following important visits were made between Costa Rica and Türkiye to promote trade:

 

1. 1. Procomer General Manager Pedro Beirute will hold meetings in Istanbul and establish initial contacts to open a Procomer representative office in Istanbul.
   2. Procomer Regional Director Edgar Sanchez will visit and organize meetings with companies interested in Costa Rican products.
   3. Karina Lopez Porras, responsible for Procomer’s marketing activities, will visit Turkey and conduct market research.
   4. Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Mr. Alexander Mora, and Investments Director, Gabriela Castro, will visit Turkey to open a Procomer representative office in Turkey and facilitate Turkish Airlines flights to Central America.

 

A photo of Foreign Trade Minister Mora, his wife, and me together.