The Diplomatic Observer

24/10/2025

CONFERENCE: OTTOMAN MIGRATION TO LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY: THE CASE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The conference entitled ‘Ottoman Migration to Latin America and the Caribbean in the Late 19th Century: The Case of the Dominican Republic’, jointly organised by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic and the Ankara University Latin American Studies Research and Application Centre, was held at the A.Ü 100th Anniversary Hall.
The conference was attended by the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Ankara, Elvis Antonio Alam Lora, the Rector of Ankara University, Necdet Ünüvar, Zeynep Koçer Kayacık, Director of the Ankara University Latin American Studies Research and Application Centre, Latin American ambassadors, diplomats and guests.
Ambassador Lora, whose grandfather was also an Ottoman citizen, gave examples of Ottoman citizens who emigrated to Latin America and settled in the Dominican Republic from the late 19th century onwards in his speech at the conference.
The industrialisation process, wars, and economic crises also played a significant role in shaping the demographic structure of the Ottoman Empire in its final years. The Ottoman Empire became both a country of immigration and a country of emigration.

24/10/2025

24/10/2025

CONFERENCE: OTTOMAN MIGRATION TO LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY: THE CASE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The conference entitled ‘Ottoman Migration to Latin America and the Caribbean in the Late 19th Century: The Case of the Dominican Republic’, jointly organised by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic and the Ankara University Latin American Studies Research and Application Centre, was held at the A.Ü 100th Anniversary Hall.
The conference was attended by the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Ankara, Elvis Antonio Alam Lora, the Rector of Ankara University, Necdet Ünüvar, Zeynep Koçer Kayacık, Director of the Ankara University Latin American Studies Research and Application Centre, Latin American ambassadors, diplomats and guests.
Ambassador Lora, whose grandfather was also an Ottoman citizen, gave examples of Ottoman citizens who emigrated to Latin America and settled in the Dominican Republic from the late 19th century onwards in his speech at the conference.
The industrialisation process, wars, and economic crises also played a significant role in shaping the demographic structure of the Ottoman Empire in its final years. The Ottoman Empire became both a country of immigration and a country of emigration.

22/10/2025

UKRAINE'S 34th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN ANKARA
A reception was held at the Embassy to mark Ukraine's 34th Independence Anniversary, hosted by Ukraine's Ambassador to Ankara, Nariman Dzhelialov, and his wife, Leviza Dzhelialova.
The reception was attended by Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, Deputy Chief of General Staff General Levent Ergün, representatives of missions stationed in Ankara, and invited guests.
The reception began with the national anthems of both countries, and Ambassador Dzhelialov gave the opening speech, saying, "We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supports Ukraine. In particular, we extend our most sincere thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the entire Turkish nation for their resolute and unwavering stance on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
In his speech, Minister Işıkhan said, "We have shared a deep historical bond with Ukraine, our strategic partner since 2011. Turkey is an unwavering supporter of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Our strategic partnership with Ukraine has shown strong resilience in the face of the challenges brought about by the ongoing war and has gained strong momentum by expanding into new dimensions."

22/10/2025

UKRAINE'S 34th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN ANKARA
A reception was held at the Embassy to mark Ukraine's 34th Independence Anniversary, hosted by Ukraine's Ambassador to Ankara, Nariman Dzhelialov, and his wife, Leviza Dzhelialova.
The reception was attended by Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, Deputy Chief of General Staff General Levent Ergün, representatives of missions stationed in Ankara, and invited guests.
The reception began with the national anthems of both countries, and Ambassador Dzhelialov gave the opening speech, saying, "We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supports Ukraine. In particular, we extend our most sincere thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the entire Turkish nation for their resolute and unwavering stance on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
In his speech, Minister Işıkhan said, "We have shared a deep historical bond with Ukraine, our strategic partner since 2011. Turkey is an unwavering supporter of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Our strategic partnership with Ukraine has shown strong resilience in the face of the challenges brought about by the ongoing war and has gained strong momentum by expanding into new dimensions."

22/10/2025

HUNGARY'S NATIONAL AND ARMED FORCES DAY CELEBRATED IN ANKARA
A reception was held at the Ankara Sheraton Hotel, hosted by Hungarian Ambassador to Ankara Viktor Matis and his wife Selina Sager, to mark Hungarian National and Armed Forces Day.
The reception was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of the European Union (EU) Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Deputy Chief of the General Staff General Levent Ergün, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, Deputy Minister of National Defense Musa Heybet, and numerous other guests.
The reception began with the singing of the national anthems of both countries. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Matis stated that relations between the two countries have evolved from a strategic partnership to an enhanced strategic partnership over the past 10 years, saying, "We actively support Turkey's EU membership." In his speech, Minister Yumaklı stated that Turkish-Hungarian relations are based on a deep-rooted history and shared values, adding, "The friendship built on these strong foundations grows stronger with each passing year."

22/10/2025

HUNGARY'S NATIONAL AND ARMED FORCES DAY CELEBRATED IN ANKARA
A reception was held at the Ankara Sheraton Hotel, hosted by Hungarian Ambassador to Ankara Viktor Matis and his wife Selina Sager, to mark Hungarian National and Armed Forces Day.
The reception was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of the European Union (EU) Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Deputy Chief of the General Staff General Levent Ergün, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, Deputy Minister of National Defense Musa Heybet, and numerous other guests.
The reception began with the singing of the national anthems of both countries. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Matis stated that relations between the two countries have evolved from a strategic partnership to an enhanced strategic partnership over the past 10 years, saying, "We actively support Turkey's EU membership." In his speech, Minister Yumaklı stated that Turkish-Hungarian relations are based on a deep-rooted history and shared values, adding, "The friendship built on these strong foundations grows stronger with each passing year."

19/10/2025

‘A SLICE OF INDIA’ - DIWALI LIGHT FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN ANKARA
The ‘A Slice of India’ - Diwali Light Festival, organised in collaboration with the Embassy of India, the Ankara City Council and the Friends of India Association (Ankara Branch), was celebrated at the Ankara City Council.
The event was attended by Halil İbrahim Yılmaz, President of the Ankara City Council; Muktesh Pardeshi, Ambassador of India; Durmuş Yılmaz, former President of the Central Bank; Dr Zeeshan Malik, President of the Friends of India Association; mission representatives serving in Ankara; and invited guests.
The event began with the national anthems of both countries and continued with a lamp lighting ceremony, a cultural tradition symbolising the beginning of important gatherings in the Indian subcontinent.
Following speeches by Halil İbrahim Yılmaz, President of the Ankara City Council, and Muktesh Pardeshi, Indian Ambassador, yoga instructor Sushil gave a demonstration.
The event concluded with Indian dances performed by the Bilge Opal Dance Group and a symbolic firework display representing hope, optimism and friendship.

19/10/2025

‘SLICE OF INDIA’ - DIWALI LIGHT FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN ANKARA
The ‘Slice of India’ - Diwali Light Festival, organised in collaboration with the Embassy of India, the Ankara City Council and the Friends of India Association (Ankara Branch), was celebrated at the Ankara City Council.
The event was attended by Halil İbrahim Yılmaz, President of the Ankara City Council; Muktesh Pardeshi, Ambassador of India; Durmuş Yılmaz, former President of the Central Bank; Dr Zeeshan Malik, President of the Friends of India Association; mission representatives serving in Ankara; and invited guests.
The event began with the national anthems of both countries and continued with a lamp lighting ceremony, a cultural tradition symbolising the beginning of important gatherings in the Indian subcontinent.
Following speeches by Halil İbrahim Yılmaz, President of the Ankara City Council, and Muktesh Pardeshi, Indian Ambassador, yoga instructor Sushil gave a demonstration.
The event concluded with Indian dances performed by the Bilge Opal Dance Group and a symbolic firework display representing hope, optimism and friendship.

17/10/2025

AUSTRIAN NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATED IN ANKARA
A reception was held in Ankara to mark Austrian National Day, hosted by Austrian Ambassador Gabriele Juen.
The reception, held in the embassy garden, was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, President of the European Union (EU), representatives of foreign missions in Ankara, and numerous guests.
The reception began with the national anthems of both countries, and Ambassador Juen gave the opening speech, noting that her country was reborn as a state in 1945.
Referring to the historical ties between Austria and Turkey, Ambassador Juen said that Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister, who was invited to Turkey by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk 90 years ago, had left his mark on important works in the capital.
In his speech, Deputy Minister Bozay stated that Turkey and Austria have deep historical ties and close, multi-layered relations, adding that in recent years, the two countries have succeeded in establishing closer and more multilateral dialogue in areas of common interest.

17/10/2025

AUSTRIAN NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATED IN ANKARA
A reception was held in Ankara to mark Austrian National Day, hosted by Austrian Ambassador Gabriele Juen.
The reception, held in the embassy garden, was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, President of the European Union (EU), representatives of foreign missions in Ankara, and numerous guests.
The reception began with the national anthems of both countries, and Ambassador Juen gave the opening speech, noting that her country was reborn as a state in 1945.
Referring to the historical ties between Austria and Turkey, Ambassador Juen said that Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister, who was invited to Turkey by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk 90 years ago, had left his mark on important works in the capital.
In his speech, Deputy Minister Bozay stated that Turkey and Austria have deep historical ties and close, multi-layered relations, adding that in recent years, the two countries have succeeded in establishing closer and more multilateral dialogue in areas of common interest.