First of all, I’d like to share this explanation with you to explain what I’m talking about.
Link to the explanation: No: 202, 27 Mayıs 2021, 2021 Yılında Bağımsızlıklarının 200. Yıldönümünü Kutlayacak Olan Latin Amerika Ülkeleriyle Ortak Düzenlenecek Etkinlikler Hk. / T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı (mfa.gov.tr)
Full text of the statement
The years 2021-2023 hold special significance for Turkey and some Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries with which Turkey maintains excellent relations. El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Peru will celebrate the bicentennial of their independence in 2021, and Brazil will celebrate the centenary of its independence in 2022. 2023 also marks the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassies in Ankara of the countries celebrating their bicentennial of independence have established a cooperation mechanism for organizing a series of cultural events to commemorate these special anniversaries and highlight the developing relations between Turkey and the LAC countries.
Today (27 May), representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassadors in Ankara of the countries celebrating their bicentennial of independence inaugurated these events by laying wreaths at the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Founder of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey’s diplomatic, political, economic, and cultural cooperation with the LAC region dates to the second half of the 19th century. As part of its multifaceted foreign policy, Turkey has pursued a more active policy towards regional countries, particularly over the last 20 years, to develop its relations with the LAC region. This has further enhanced relations with the LAC region.
As a result, Turkey’s trade volume with the LAC region has increased five-fold, and the number of Turkey’s diplomatic missions in these countries has tripled. Bilateral political relations have deepened, influenced by increased frequency of high-level visits. Cooperation with international organizations has also improved, with Turkey becoming an observer member of regional organizations such as SICA, MERCOSUR, and the Pacific Union. Furthermore, increased social and cultural interaction between peoples has contributed to these relations.
Today, based on the strong foundation and significant potential for deepening cooperation, the parties are determined to develop relations in every possible area, based on common interests and in a way that meets the expectations of the people.
My Thoughts
First of all, I will be writing an article on “Independence Day” on 15 September 2021, for the bicentennial of Costa Rica, where I am Honorary Consul. Let me state this upfront. In this article, I want to offer my best wishes for the future of our sister countries, whose histories are parallel.
The character of those living in Latin American countries is very similar to that of our own. The people of the Latin America region are like our cousins from across the ocean. We all have Mediterranean roots in our genes. You can perceive this in both positive and negative ways.
In the positive sense, you can observe the warm, hospitable, attractive, intelligent, practical, and passionate characteristics of our people.
In the negative sense, we are undisciplined, rebellious, individualistic, unsystematic, and easily polarized due to excessive emotionality, creating conflict.
We’re similar in our ups and downs
Latin American countries, including Turkey, with their wonderful cuisine, vibrant and joyful people, and magnificent nature, can’t quite get back on track due to their bad habits. The course of politics in these countries, in line with the character of their people, is like a roller coaster, with extreme ups and downs and no stability.
Costa Rica, which I represent, is one of the finest Latin American countries in every respect. Yet, ask Costa Ricans; just like any other country, almost everyone in the country complains about politics and politicians.
These events have come at a bad time for El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Peru, which are celebrating their bicentennials this year, and Brazil, which will celebrate next year. At a time when all of humanity is suffering due to the pandemic, these celebrations are sure to be much more muted than usual. Economic hardship has peaked in all these countries. The political climate in these countries has become increasingly polarized. There’s little hope that these difficulties will be overcome in the short to medium term. Despite everything, I remain optimistic about the future. This pandemic is an opportunity for countries to get their act together. Those who seize this opportunity will emerge from this environment much stronger.
Three wishes
I have three wishes for the future:
I hope that Turkey will have erased the traces of the pandemic in two years, and that we will all experience a series of celebrations befitting our country.
I hope that one of these countries will emerge and, setting an example for others, completely overhaul the country’s structure, completely reversing the challenges we are experiencing, and ensuring prosperity throughout the country.
And I hope that relations between Turkey and the Latin American countries living in this sister region will develop daily and that they will continuously support each other.
Tag: economy
