The Türkiye-SICA (Central American Integration System) Second Foreign Ministers’ Forum took place on 20-21 April. In addition to Costa Rica, the foreign ministers of eight Central American countries—Belize, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama—were present with delegations consisting of undersecretaries, deputy undersecretaries, and senior officials. Costa Rica participated in these meetings with a full complement of staff, led by Foreign Minister Manuel A. González Sanz. As usual, I accompanied the Costa Rican delegation to these meetings.
On the evening of Monday, 19 April, the night before the official delegations were to convene at SICA on 20 April, DEİK (Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye – a semi-public institution that collaborates with the public and private sectors and works to develop private sector-based trade relations with other countries) held an event at the InterContinental Istanbul Hotel at 7:00 PM. Incidentally, I’ve been vice president of DEİK’s Central American Business Council for the past two years. This event was one of the best things DEİK has done.
At this cocktail-style event, the first speeches of the forum, organized jointly with SICA, were delivered. Our Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Affairs also gave a speech. Everything went well that evening. Costa Ricans stood out a bit more than other Central American countries. Our handsome Foreign Minister, a lawyer by profession, was accompanied by his elegant wife. I overheard some of the conversations going on. People were saying, “Costa Ricans are like models, maşallah.” Of course, I smiled when I heard this. Because you shouldn’t judge the entire country based on one person leaving the country. Just as you wouldn’t judge America based on Trump or Obama before him, you shouldn’t judge the entire country based on a Foreign Minister or President. But of course, the relevant high-ranking officials can provide an insight into the country’s situation.
Satisfying signatures
Official meetings were held the following day, and as a result of these meetings, Türkiye and Costa Rica signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement and a Cooperation Agreement in the Fight Against International Smuggling of Psychotropic and Narcotic Substances.
Here are photos from the signing ceremony:
I was personally very pleased that these agreements were implemented, as they allow us to finalize the work to be done. I say “Giderayak” because, as I’ve written before, I plan to resign as Costa Rican Honorary Consul next year. You can read the relevant article at http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/kosta-rika-fahri-konsolosu-olarak-son-doneme-girerken. I will return to this topic in the conclusion of this article.
The two-day official meetings and visits concluded with the relevant delegations visiting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul. I can say that the official meetings and agreements held to develop Türkiye’s relations with the countries of the region were positive.
On the morning of that last official day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited our Honorary Consulate and the Procomer office.
A photo from the minister’s visit
That evening, I took the Costa Rican delegation to dinner at a fish restaurant on Galatasaray Island. The entire delegation was very pleased with the meal and the experience. The food was generally delicious. However, the salt fish served after the appetizers captivated everyone. Both the presentation and the taste were excellent. The Costa Ricans remarked that the ocean fish in their country wasn’t as delicious as the salt fish they were enjoying. After a wonderful evening, we sent the minister off to his hotel.
The fish is prepared in this iridescent way before being served in salt.
What a Demolition Inspires
Speaking of Galatasaray Island, I’d like to share my thoughts on the destruction we witnessed yesterday (Sunday) morning. Firstly, those who read my articles know that I’m a Galatasaray fan, both emotionally and officially. If I’m in Istanbul, I try not to miss a Galatasaray match. Similarly, I’m a member of the Galatasaray Club. I’m also a member of GSYİAD (Galatasaray Executives and Businessmen’s Association).
I have a different opinion on Galatasaray Island than many other members of Congress. Yes, I know Reina owner Mehmet Koçarslan and General Manager Ali Ünal. I especially like Ali and his brother Erkan as people. However, none of these things outweigh my Galatasaray loyalty. So, I’ll share my current thoughts with a clear conscience:
- Changing the name of Galatasaray Island to Water Island is wrong. Changing the original name to avoid offending other team fans is unacceptable. Visitors should be able to enjoy the Bosphorus without any team identity.
- It’s true that there’s been more construction than necessary, especially in one section. However, as far as I understand, the demolition isn’t directed at the side where this massive construction is located, but rather at structures built under previous administrations that have stood there for years.
- Despite all the negativity on the island, the biggest reason Galatasaray Island has become so popular is Reina’s management skills. Before Mehmet Koçarslan and his team took over, Galatasaray Island was in deplorable condition, in my opinion. Once they took over, it became a truly popular destination. Give the guy a break, don’t get what he deserves.
- It’s also wrong to demolish it so flagrantly and leave it in rubble. Galatasaray Island has significant tourism value. It has become a tourism asset on the international stage, just like Reina. Therefore, such demolitions deal a further blow to Turkish tourism, which is already suffering, and continue to send the wrong message abroad. For instance, I will not mention yesterday morning’s demolition to the Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Affairs, who spoke highly of Galatasaray Island in our meetings, or to the officials who joined us there. I am personally ashamed of this situation on behalf of my country.
I would also like to say this to my dear Galatasaray supporters: If you want to make a change on Galatasaray Island, you need to find a business that can manage it better and pay higher rents. Trying to deal with the problem without considering a solution will harm the club. Kamikaze organizations will undoubtedly emerge that will offer higher rents. These can only survive there in the short term. They will either go bankrupt within two or three years at most and leave, or they will cause us serious harm in the long run. The first step should be to increase the fees paid by the businesses still operating there. It is unbecoming of a club like Galatasaray to label a company with which you have signed an operating agreement as an occupier. There must be continuity in all institutions and organizations in the public, NGO and private sectors.
They recorded the destruction on Galatasaray Island in slow motion. I’d like to share this video, which reveals just how horrific such destruction is:
https://instagram.com/p/BUtQWehlBg3/
A meaningful exchange with the Deputy Undersecretary
Returning to our topic, we bid farewell to the official Costa Rican delegation on Saturday. Afterwards, they departed for a trip to the Middle East. Deputy Undersecretary Francisco Chacón Hernández sent me a message from there. Chacón, a highly active and successful bureaucrat, had read my relevant blog posts. In short, he asked, “Are you considering leaving the Honorary Consulate?” I told him I had. In our subsequent correspondence, he briefly explained to me that he had read my writing that I was the face of Costa Rica in Istanbul and that I was proud to represent it, and that Costa Rica was equally proud of me. He explained that since I was the Honorary Consul of Costa Rica for nine years at the age of nearly 40, this had constituted approximately 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 contribution to the spread of the Pura Vida philosophy. I thanked him for this positive feedback and explained that Costa Rica and I were a truly wonderful match. If asked which country I would represent 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 explained that this position should have a term like public service, which I believe is normally 10 years, but could extend to 15 years under extraordinary circumstances. I explained that my nine years in this position have expired and that it would be time for me to hand over to someone next year, but that I was open to suggestions.
Minister Gonzalez’s Question
He then told me that he was pleased that I was open to suggestions, that the Minister of Foreign Affairs would be spending three hours in Türkiye on 16 May between flights to the Middle East and that he wanted to speak with me.
We then reconfirmed, and on 16 May, I went to the airport to meet Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuel Gonzalez in the VIP area. As always, I picked up Minister Gonzalez and Deputy Undersecretary Chacon from the airport. We began chatting in the private VIP area reserved for the Minister.
Many topics were discussed during our three-hour conversation. When it came to my position, Chacon spoke first, followed by the Minister. I reiterated my own thoughts. The Minister asked me, “Where are we going to find someone who shares your values, who carries out the work you do, and who never loses his idealism?” The conversation, which had lasted about half an hour, reached a conclusion. I told them 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.
Frankly, being valued this way has touched me and boosted my motivation. I won’t leave my position until I find someone I can confidently pass the baton to. I sincerely hope to find that person next year. I believe in blood exchange. However, if I can’t find them, I’ll continue where we left off with the same motivation.
Indeed, following this meeting, our efforts accelerated the week after to open an exhibition by Costa Rica’s prominent artist, Jose Sancho. I’ll be featuring this wonderful exhibition, which we opened last week, in my next article.
In conclusion, even if my term as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica ends, my “Pura Vida” bond with Costa Rica will never be severed. Because “Pura Vida” has become my philosophy of life. As Chacon put it, it’s ingrained in my DNA. Our dear readers who don’t know what the Pura Vida philosophy is can read my article at the link: http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/pura-vida-veya-yasami-anlamla-donatmak . Now, once again, Pura Vida! for all my friends.
Tag: honorary consulate
