28 March 2014 - Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Director Carlos D. Sorreta and visiting Turkish Vice Foreign Minister Ali Naci Koru signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Cooperation between the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and the Diplomacy Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey in a simple ceremony held at the Elpidio Quirino Lounge of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The MOU seeks to establish and further develop mutual cooperation between the two diplomatic training institutions in the field of diplomacy and related disciplines. The agreement also promotes the exchanges of lecturers, professors, experts and researchers as well as programs for young diplomats.

The simple ceremony was witnessed by DFA Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis, Assistant Secretary Ma. Zeneida Angara Collinson and Turkish Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Esra Cankorur.

In his remarks, FSI Director Sorreta stated that it is a great honor for the institute to sign the agreement which will mutually benefit the Foreign Service Institute and the Turkish Diplomacy Academy. He further noted that the Philippines and Turkey share cultural similarities and hoped that these will be more appreciated as the agreement is implemented.

Meanwhile, Vice Foreign Minister Koru mentioned the invitation of Diplomacy Academy for a Filipino diplomat to visit Istanbul, Ankara and Cappadocia. The Minister then conveyed the same invitation to the FSI Director to visit Turkey at the most opportune time. END