Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Colombia were established 64 years ago through a Friendship Agreement and since its inception they have been maintained on the basis of cordial cooperation between two sovereign and equal countries. Turkey opened its Embassy in Bogotá in 2010 and Colombia in Ankara in 2011, demonstrating their willingness to start a new stage in which they have raised the level of their relations.
(Also read: Macron is re-elected in France with historic progress of the extreme right)
Mutual visits at the level of the Presidents in 2011 and 2015 prompted the signing of several cooperation agreements in order to develop bilateral relations in all areas. In addition, mechanisms such as the Mixed Economic Commission, the Agricultural Cooperation Committee, and the Joint Committee on Culture, Education and Sports, among others, have been formed.
As a result of joint efforts, today the volume of trade between the two countries has reached more than 2 billion dollars, almost doubling in 2021 the figure for the year 2020. Turkey Scholarships have been awarded to 177 Colombian students to carry out postgraduate studies in our country. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has contributed to 157 projects in Colombia in the fields of health, education and rural development.
Turkey follows an enterprising and humanitarian foreign policy. Within this framework, one of our priorities is to develop relations with the countries of Latin America. We consider Colombia as a special partner. In fact, Colombia has a privileged position as a hub for the presence of Turkish institutions in the region. One of the two representations of TIKA in Latin America is located in Bogotá. Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul and Bogota started in 2016 and now run every day of the week. The only regional branch of Anadolu Agency, Turkey’s official news agency, is located in Bogotá. Furthermore, on the occasion of my visit today we are going to officially open the Maarif Foundation’s education and culture center in Bogotá, which represents the latest example of Turkey’s growing institutional presence in Colombia.
Turkish businessmen also consider Colombia as a hub in the region and invite buyers from other regional countries here. We are intensifying our efforts to better exploit the existing potential in economic matters and especially to increase mutual investments.
(You may be interested in: Zelensky denounces Russian concentration camps and deportations to Siberia)
The numbers of tourists from both countries are increasing annually and the Turkish language courses that we offer in the universities of Colombia have attracted great interest. These are signs of the strengthening of the bonds of friendship between our peoples. We have the intact will to deepen cooperation between the two countries in all areas for the benefit of our peoples. We believe that the fruits of our bilateral cooperation can also extend to the global level.
Global Union of Forces for a Fairer World
Turkey and Colombia enjoy strategic positions in their respective regions, with stable political environments and growing economies. Furthermore, they have similar approaches to global challenges such as the refugee crisis. I think Increasing our cooperation on global issues will generate a synergy that will contribute to the goal of establishing a more equal, fairer and more stable world order.
(Also: How much is the personal wealth of the King of Spain? Casa Real reveals figure)
Turkey has designed various global initiatives in order to contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in its neighborhood and beyond. The Alliance of Civilizations Initiative, co-sponsored by Turkey and Spain under the aegis of the United Nations with the aim of developing understanding and tolerance between cultures and religions, as well as the Peace Mediation Initiative, developed with the aim of contributing to conflict prevention, are good examples of an effective multilateralism that contributes constructively to today’s most critical issues.
Also, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held for the second time this year, has become a respectable platform for multilateral consultations with a global scope. Turkey’s sincere efforts for peace and stability are reflected in the context of the war in Ukraine. The first meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Russia during the crisis was held in the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and also saw the participation of Turkey. We continue our facilitation efforts as a country trusted by both sides thanks to our principled position.
Increasing our cooperation on global issues will generate synergy that will contribute to the goal of establishing a more equal world order.
International organizations and global governance mechanisms fall short of generating effective solutions to current problems. The slogan “the world is bigger than five” coined by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is a call to work for an inclusive, fair and effective international system that is capable of responding to global threats.
(Read on: Le Pen will continue to ‘defend the French’ and return as an MP)
Refugee and migration issues are among the top growing global challenges. The number of refugees in the world has more than doubled in the last ten years, reaching 85 million people. Turkey and Colombia are the countries that host the largest number of refugees, ranking first and second in the world respectively.
I think it will be very fruitful if Turkey and Colombia, as the countries that have shouldered a heavy burden by welcoming refugees with open arms, make common efforts to guide global policy on migration and refugee management issues, including efforts to ensure a more equal distribution of the load.
I would like to conclude my words by sending my best wishes to the Colombian people and expressing our determination to increase joint efforts to raise the levels of bilateral relations and to influence global governance in order to make it a more just and inclusive system.
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
Turkish Foreign Minister
More news
Melissa Lucio: they stop the execution of the first Latina sentenced to death
The US will reopen embassy in Ukraine and a woman will be in charge
‘Colombia represents Biden’s vision for Latin America’
#TurkeyColombia #bilateral #cooperation #global #union #forces