22 July 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara held a one-day 2nd Strategic Planning and Consular Services Workshop on June 11.  Consuls General Sukru Diyab (Mersin), Ender Yorgancillar (Izmir), and Consul Tamer Kabalcioğlu (Gazientep) presented their plans and activities covering the period 2014-2015.

Among the topics discussed were the Overview of Philippines-Turkey Bilateral Relations and the Embassy’s accomplishments for the past year, latest status of the Philippines West Philippine Sea/South China Sea legal dispute with China, the latest developments on the Bangsamoro Peace Process, and during the Consular Services Workshop, the harmonization of consular forms, Assistance to Filipino nationals, Anti-Human Trafficking activities, the Philippine Embassy Contingency Plan, and other administrative and fiscal issues.

The Honorary Consuls reaffirmed their commitments to support the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, under the Political and National Security, Economic Diplomacy, and Consular services mandates.

Among the specific projects highlighted for implementation were the goals of bringing more Turkish investors and tourists on the recently opened direct Istanbul-Manila flights of Turkish Airlines, as well as organizing cultural and trade promotion activities in Izmir, Mersin and Gaziantep.  The officials also committed to be more active in dealing with human trafficking incidents involving Filipino nationals in their areas of jurisdiction, as well as providing consular authentication and visa issuance services. END