Turkey’s National Day

On this day, October 29, we will have celebrations in Turkey and all around the world marking the 92nd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey. As ever, we pay tribute to the founding fathers, and especially remember with gratitude Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, first president of the republic, who not only led to victory a national struggle for liberation but also put in place an institutional and philosophical framework for progress and modernisation for the Turkish people. As the Middle East is plagued by multiple upheavals for almost half a decade now, in which state structures started to crumble in several countries, one can better appreciate in retrospect the depth and scope of Ataturk’s vision and the significance of the Turkish experience. 

Today, the Turkish Republic remains an ongoing project of advancement and modernisation. The last decade was especially one of phenomenal growth and development for the Turkish economy. Political stability, good governance, entrepreneurial dynamism of the private sector and structural reforms in compliance with EU standards have all contributed to this outcome. However, we know that there is room for further improvement and now we are looking forward to upcoming parliamentary elections in Turkey as we try to re-energise ourselves to meet the targets set for the centenary of the proclamation of our republic. 

On the other hand, growing instability in our southern border started to have negative security repercussions inside Turkey. As the PKK terrorist organisation resumed its acts of terrorism targeting security officials and civilians on a daily basis, two suicide bombers perpetrated a most heinous terrorist attack in the Republican history by killing more than 100 civilians in a peaceful rally in Ankara. We have no doubt that the real target of this brutal crime was the unity and integrity of our nation. Yet, it has only reinforced our determination to combat terrorism, wherever and in whatever motive it may be committed. In view of the globalised nature of terrorism, international cooperation based on an unequivocal and non-discriminatory stance by the international community is essential to eradicate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations.

On this occasion, I would like to reiterate Turkey’s commitment to work with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the common good of our respective peoples and for ensuring peace, security and prosperity in our region and beyond. Our two brotherly countries remain bulwarks of stability in an otherwise turbulent region. We are bound not only by the constants of geography, history and culture but also by a firm commitment to upholding unity in diversity, non-sectarianism, moderation and peaceful coexistence. Turkey attaches importance to and supports the role of His Majesty King Abdullah as the custodian of the Holy Sites in Al Quds, to protect the rights of all Muslims against the violations of international law.

We closely follow the ongoing reform process in Jordan. The determination of the Kingdom to continue with the reform efforts in an inclusive manner in spite of all odds arising from a volatile regional context makes these efforts all the more commendable. As a sign of our commitment to provide technical assistance and support economic development in Jordan, we have signed an agreement last week regarding the establishment and functioning of the Permanent Office in Amman of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). Moreover, the code-sharing agreement that was signed in September 2015 between Turkish Airlines and the Royal Jordanian will contribute to the promotion of commercial and people-to-people interaction between our two countries. After the completion of parliamentary elections in Turkey, we aim to intensify bilateral high-level visits with a view to bolstering cooperation and coordination in a diversified manner. 

Being a host country to Syrian and Iraqi refugees itself, Turkey is well-poised to appreciate the immensity of the sacrifices that Jordan has been making for providing shelter and accommodation to more than 1 million Syrian refugees for years now. In the same vein, as a diplomat serving in Jordan for more than three years, I would like to express my admiration for the extraordinary sense of compassion and philanthropy that is displayed at all levels and by all segments of the society towards the needy and underprivileged in Jordan. 

For our part, we have been hosting more than 2 million Syrians, almost half of all displaced Syrians living outside Syria. Like Jordan and Lebanon, we continue to fulfil more than our fair share in dealing with this humanitarian catastrophe, the real dimensions of which have only recently started to be felt because of mass migration flows to Europe. Against all odds, we will continue to work with the international community with a view to effectively addressing the root causes of this crisis and tackling the humanitarian and security threats it causes.

On the occasion of Turkish national day, I would like to congratulate our citizens and convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to all who have collaborated with our embassy in further developing Turkish-Jordanian relations. 

The writer is ambassador of Turkey to Jordan. He contributed this article to The Jordan Times.