Those who follow me regularly know that I have served as the honorary consul of Costa Rica since 2008. I would like to reiterate some of the statements I’ve made about Costa Rica in previous articles: Being the honorary consul of Costa Rica is, in my opinion, a public duty. By fulfilling this duty, I serve both Costa Rica and Türkiye. I contribute greatly to the development of relations between our two countries, and I enjoy and am honored by this. However, like any public position, I believe this position should have a specific term. In my opinion, public positions should not exceed 10 years. In the event of force majeure, this term can be extended to 15 years. In my opinion, it is essential to leave these matters to chance and hand off the baton.
Therefore, I wrote an article entitled Entering My Last Term as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica (http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/kosta-rika-fahri-konsolosu-olarak-son-doneme-girerken ) and signaled my departure. In this article, during a trip to the region last year, Francisco Chacón Hernández, then Deputy Undersecretary and now Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, read my blog post and contacted me. He asked me briefly, “Are you considering leaving your Honorary Consulship?” I replied that I had. In our subsequent correspondence, he explained that he had read my writing about being the face of Costa Rica in Istanbul, that I was proud to represent Costa Rica, and that Costa Rica was equally proud of me. He also stated that since I was nearly 40 and served as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica for nine years, this had constituted 25% of my life. He wrote that it was fitting for me to constantly use the concept of Pura Vida and make it my philosophy of life. He added that as someone who embodies all the requirements of this philosophy, I am as much a Costa Rican as a true citizen, and that this is deeply ingrained in my DNA. Finally, he emphasized the need for my continued contributions to the spread of Pura Vida philosophy.
Meeting with the minister
I thanked him for his kind feedback and told him that Costa Rica and I truly made a wonderful match. If asked which country I wanted to represent all over again, I would choose Costa Rica. I conveyed that I shared the same values as the country, such as preserving peace and protecting nature, and that working with the Costa Ricans, known as Ticos, was a great pleasure. However, I pointed out that this position should have a term like public service, which I believe is normally 10 years, but could extend to 15 under extraordinary circumstances. I explained that my nine years in this position (10 years this year) had passed and that it was time for me to hand it over to someone else next year (that is, this year), but that I was open to suggestions.
He then told me that he was pleased that I was open to suggestions and that the Costa Rican Foreign Minister would be in Türkiye for three hours on 16 May, between flights to the Middle East, and that he wanted to speak with me. We reconfirmed our appointment, and on 16 May last year, I went to the airport to meet Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez in the VIP area. As always, I picked up Minister Gonzalez and Deputy Undersecretary Chacon from the plane. We began chatting in the VIP area reserved for the Minister.
Common ground reached
During our three-hour conversation, many topics were discussed. When it came to my position, Chacon spoke first, followed by the Minister. I reiterated my own thoughts. The Minister then asked me, “Where are we going to find someone for this position who shares your values, who carries out the work in the same way you do, and who maintains an idealistic spirit?” The conversation, which had lasted about half an hour, reached a conclusion. I told them that I had someone like him in mind, but unfortunately, he had moved abroad. I added, “In that case, let’s not assume I’ll be leaving my post next year, and I’ll just continue until I find someone to hand over the baton. Would that be okay with you?” The Minister nodded, and we shook hands. Afterward, I saw the Minister and the Deputy Undersecretary off to their plane.
This is a photo we took inside our Honorary Consulate during Minister Gonzalez’s visit. I’m including it here as a representation.
I concluded the article I quoted above with the following:
“Frankly, being valued in this way has touched me and boosted my motivation. I will not resign until I find someone I can confidently hand off the baton to. I sincerely hope to find that person next year. I believe in blood exchange. However, if I can’t find one, I will continue where I left off with the same motivation.”
I stand by my word.
Today, I haven’t found this person to replace me. I previously mentioned that I had someone living abroad in mind for this position. I discussed this with him, but that option was eliminated because he will continue to live abroad and even recently married and decided to start a life there with his wife.
I stand by my promise to Costa Rica. That’s why I continue my duty.
I have dedicated considerable effort to developing economic, political, diplomatic, and cultural relations between Turkey and Costa Rica at the Costa Rican Honorary Consulate. I have written extensively about my work and my thoughts on it. I would like to share the links to these articles again to give you an idea:
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/jose-sancho-sergisi-bir-sanat-ve-dostluk-oykusu
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/kosta-rika-ile-pura-vida-bagim-hicbir-zaman-kopmayacak
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/kosta-rika-fahri-konsolosu-olarak-gecen-5-yil-2010-2015
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/2009-turkiye-kosta-rika-iliskilerinde-donum-yili
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/kosta-rika-istanbul-fahri-konsolosu-olarak-yasadiklarim
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/dunya-kupasinda-kosta-rika
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/pura-vida-veya-yasami-anlamla-donatmak
From now on, I will continue to pursue my remaining goals with the same enthusiasm until I hand over the baton. I would like to reiterate what these goals are.
Two Important Goals
My two most important goals relate to diplomatic and cultural matters. I will do my best to complete the remaining bilateral agreements as diplomatic goals. The ‘Free Trade Agreement,’ which will also pave the way for economic relations, is my top priority. As I’ve mentioned in previous years, I will do everything in my power to secure the signing of this agreement, even though it won’t be easy. Of course, the task at hand requires significant diplomatic activity on both Costa Rica and Turkey, as in previous years.
My second goal is to organize a ‘Latin American’ event focused on music, art, and cuisine, perhaps first in Istanbul, with Costa Rica playing a significant role, to help the two countries get to know each other better. Then, we’ll organize a similar event for Turkey in Costa Rica (probably in its capital, San Jose). Of course, we need to ensure their longevity. So, I hope these events will continue to grow even after we step down from these roles. After the elections,
We will see how we can achieve these goals in the new term. You may have heard. Costa Rica has just concluded its elections. Carlos Alvarado has been elected as the new president.
The Supreme Electoral Council announced that in the second round of the Costa Rican presidential election, Carlos Alvarado, a liberal candidate for the ruling Citizens’ Movement Party, won 60.8% of the 95% of the votes counted, while his evangelical opponent, Fabricio Alvarado, of the National Renewal Party, won 39.2%.
Carlos Alvarado, 38, a former journalist, rock singer, and novelist, also served as Minister of Labor during the Citizens’ Movement Party government.
I look forward to sharing our projects with him and the relevant ministers in the new cabinet over the next four years and gaining their support to ensure Costa Rica’s best representation in our region.
A photo from the visit of new President Carlos Alvarado, who will officially take office in May, to President Luis Guillermo Solís, who is currently about to hand over the Presidency, at the Presidential House (Casa Presidencial) this month.
An event and a flag change
Having said that I’m returning to my duties with the same enthusiasm, I’d like to share with you the recent events and developments related to Costa Rica in Istanbul.
First, Roberto Fragomeno, a professor at the University of Costa Rica and an expert in philosophy and political history, gave a talk entitled Political Thought in Latin America at the Cervantes Institute on 21 March, organized by the Costa Rican Embassy. He was accompanied on the panel by our Ambassador, Marcelo Varela-Erasheva.
I would like to share the announcement of the panel with you.
I’ll share a summary of the speeches from this over two-hour panel in my next article.
Finally, we’ll be experiencing a change of leadership at the Turkish representative office of Procomer, the Costa Rican trade agency that promotes Costa Rican exports and investments. Ali Natour, who has served in this position for two years, will be passing the baton. I wish Ali, who recently married and is preparing to start a new life, a happy and successful life.
The last picture we took with Ali
The last picture we took with Ali
In my next article, I’ll be announcing Ali’s replacement. Best of luck…
Pura Vida!
I do this extreme sport, called canopy (or “zip line”) in Costa Rica, every time I go there. I’m including this image as a symbolic reference to the fact that we will complete our unfinished goals for Costa Rica and Turkey on this journey.
This is Volcano Arenal, one of Costa Rica’s iconic volcanic mountains. Enjoy!
Tag: culture
