PH Embassy in Ankara Celebrates Philippines-Turkey Bilateral Relations

Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Raul S. Hernandez (right) is joined by Madame Maria Ana Algabre-Hernandez (left) and the Guest of Honor, Turkey’s Minister of National Education, Ziya Selçuk (center) during the Commemoration of 70 Years of Philippines-Turkey Bilateral Relations. (Ankara PE photo)

TURKEY 07 January 2020 — The Philippine Embassy in Ankara held a diplomatic reception to commemorate 70 years of bilateral ties between the Philippines and Turkey at the Hilton Ankara Hotel on 06 November 2019.

The event was attended by almost 400 guests from various embassies, as well as Turkish government officials, businessmen, and Filipino Community leaders.

Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Raul S. Hernandez, in his opening remarks, said that “the Philippines and Turkey have together laid the foundations of a broader bilateral relationship. We now cooperate closely on issues in defense, tourism and   education. Cultural and people-to-people links are also much a part of all these as well.” Ambassador Hernandez added that both countries “recognize our high economic potential, trade and investments are growing. Recent business missions led by our Department of Trade and Industry catapulted the increase in business-to-business partnerships that gets us closer to achieving our bilateral target of 1 billion US dollars by 2020.”

Ambassador Hernandez also noted “Turkey’s steadfast commitment and support for the Mindanao Peace Process, notably through the Independent Decommissioning Body and the International Monitoring Team.” Referencing the shift in the center of global economic, security, and strategic influence to Asia, the Ambassador added that “Turkey’s Asia Anew Initiative is a timely and important opportunity to strengthen and greatly build on relationships in Asia. The Philippines, with its integral position in the region, is at the center of this global shift in power and influence.  This becomes far more meaningful and compelling given that in South East Asia, the Philippines is Turkey’s oldest diplomatic partner.”

Ambassador Hernandez said that the “decision of the Philippines to soon establish a career Consulate General in Istanbul, the cultural, economic, and financial center of Turkey, a major tourism hub, and home to a big portion of the Filipino diaspora, will bring both the Philippines and Turkey even closer together.”

In his response, Minister Ziya Selçuk emphasized that the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific region is an important partner for Turkey. “We would like to deepen and diversify our cooperation with the Philippines in all areas, especially in light of the Asia Anew Initative. In this context, we welcome the initiative of the Philippines to open a Consulate General in Istanbul.”

Commenting on bilateral trade ties, the Minister said that “the Philippines, as an emerging economy in the Asia-Pacific region, has become an emerging trade partner for Turkey in the region. Our bilateral trade volume still does not reflect the real potential of two countries, but there is a high potential to work on. The first meeting of the Turkey-Philippines Joint Economic Commission, held in Ankara in February 2018, was an important opportunity for the diversification and expansion of our economic relations."

Filipino cuisine formed part of the buffet where guests were offered dishes such as salpicao, pancit, itlog na maalat, ukoy and mangoes imported from the Philippines. A Turkish singer and pianist performed Rosas Pandan and Araw Gabi and to cap the event, a raffle draw was held where three guests won two roundtrip tickets each, sponsored by various commercial carriers, commercial to Manila, Cebu and Bohol as well as three days and two nights free accommodation in hotels and resorts in the abovementioned destinations.

Paintings were also mounted at the venue to showcase the talent of Filipino painters based in Turkey, including Max Adlao, Jonal Buenafe, Rowena Tuzcuoglu and the spouse of Ambassador Hernandez, Maria Ana Algabre-Hernandez. END

Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Raul S. Hernandez (left) gives the welcome remarks and Minister Ziya Selcuk (right) delivers his response (Ankara PE photo)

Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Raul S. Hernandez and Madam Maria Ana Algabre-Hernandez are joined by Embassy officials at the reception line. (Ankara PE photo)

Madam Maria Ana Algabre-Hernandez showcases her paintings at the reception. (Ankara PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTurkey/.