Saturday 27 / April / 2024
Muscat: The Turkish Embassy in Muscat celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Oman and Turkiye last Sunday.
The event took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat and was held under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs.
The gathering was graced by the presence of distinguished Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Sultanate, and members of the Turkish community.
In a speech delivered at the event, Al Harthy extended his warmest congratulations to Turkiye on their national day. He expressed his admiration for the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkiye, and paid respects to the martyrs and veterans.
The event highlighted the historical journey of Turkiye from its war for independence, which followed the occupation of the Ottoman Empire, to its transformation into a modern, democratic nation under the visionary leadership of Atatürk.
In his address, Mehmet Hakimoğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye accredited to the Sultanate, said: "President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership is the driving force behind Turkiye's vision for the "Century of Türkiye," a forward-looking concept aimed at achieving excellence in various domains.”
He added: Ataturk’s ideal of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World," reflects the country’s goals and Turkiye's humanitarian foreign policy approach under President Erdoğan.
Hakimoğlu said: “Turkiye's role as a stabilising force in the region, its democratic culture, mediation efforts in conflicts, and its humanitarian aid efforts are all acknowledged globally. Turkiye has consistently ranked first in the world in providing humanitarian aid and has hosted the highest number of refugees, particularly Syrians.”
The ambassador also talked about Turkiye's exemplary diplomacy role in the Ukrainian-Russian war, where it gained appreciation from the UN for its efforts in prisoner exchange and resolving the grain crisis.
Hakimoğlu and other attendees at the event expressed their sadness and regret over the tragedy in Gaza, emphasising the importance of finding a peaceful solution and ensuring the rights of the Palestinians through a two-state solution.
The ambassador also highlighted the growing Turkish-Omani relations, with the countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.
The event showcased historical documents exchanged between the two nations and Hakimoğlu expressed gratitude to His Majesty and the people of Oman for their support after a devastating earthquake in Turkiye last February.
He said: “Turkiye's culture, hospitality, and natural beauty make it a preferred destination for Omani tourists and the Turkish government pledges to continue protecting the strong bond of brotherhood between the two nations.”
He also announced the setting up of a Turkish Teaching Centre in Oman, dedicated to the Turkish language, which will open by the end of the year.
