The Turkish Embassy Celebrates Its Centennial in Harare
The Turkish Embassy commemorated its centennial on Monday, October 30, 2023, at their Harare residence.
Her Excellency Berna Kasnaklı Versteden hosted the guest of honour, Honourable Frederick Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and other dignitaries from different organizations and other embassies.
“This is a special year, exactly a century ago when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk led an independence war and founded a contemporary state. Establishing an industrial complex, a new educational system, women’s rights, and equal opportunity for all people regardless of socioeconomic status were all part of this enormous undertaking,” she remarked, “We are still guided by Atatürk’s motto, “Peace at Home, Peace in the World.”
“Türkiye is now the center of African nations. An expanding number of African embassies in Ankara bear witness to this. Since 2019, Zimbabwe has become one of them. We both want to forge closer relationships.”
“I’m happy to report that this year has seen a further strengthening of our relationship with Zimbabwe. My minister’s visit in January helped us get the year started and laid the groundwork for future involvement.
“Following the tragic earthquakes that hit my nation in February, we were deeply grateful and humbled to receive the solidarity and help of the Zimbabwean government and people. I would want to say that the Turkish people and my government are appreciative of everyone who has shown support or solidarity.
“In July the Minister of Defence, Honourable Muchinguri, participated for the first time in the International Defence Industry Fair. In the margins a Military Framework Agreement between our countries was signed.
Honourable Frederick Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
“Three weeks ago, in Istanbul, a sizable business delegation headed by the Honorable Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, took part in the Fourth Türkiye-Africa Business and Trade Forum. We have a strong commitment to developing our commercial and trade partnerships on a bilateral basis.
“Throughout the year Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is supporting the sustainable the development of Zimbabwe. TIKA will fund a vocational and technical training project in the agricultural sector in accordance with National Development Strategy – NDS. TIKA will also suppport the establishment of a Microbiology Laboratory at Harare Institute of Technology.
“Finally, Zimbabwean students study in universities all over Türkiye thanks to Türkiye Scholarships. We will continue to promote them.”
She went on to read a message from His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the Centennial Republic Day in which he said, “On behalf of my country and my nation, I would like to thank all our friends and guests who share our joy of celebration by being with us.
The Republic of Türkiye, whose centenary we celebrate with great joy, is the last state we established on these lands. The journey of our nation from the past to the future continued on to this day, from the Seljuks to the Ottomans, and from the Ottomans to the Republic of Türkiye.
The Republic of Türkiye has accumulated all of our state tradition of two thousand and two hundred years, as symbolized by the 16 stars in the Presidential Seal. With the inspiration we draw from our deep-rooted history and ancestral values, we endeavour to prepare our Republic for its new century, by further strengthening it.
It is our highest duty to ensure that the Republic, which was born as “the protector of those in need” in the words of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, live on forever.
With this understanding, we have led our country from success to success, from victory to victory in the last 22 years.
And now, we are working tirelessly to make the second century of the Republic the century of our nation in the world, by pursuing the goal of the “Century of Türkiye”.
With our growing economy, strengthening democracy, increasing reputation, expanding sphere of influence, and our principled and visionary foreign policy, we continue to be “the protector of those in need”, all over the world. We are pleased to see that every achievement of Türkiye is being followed with hope by all the oppressed people in our region and in the world.
We are determined to glorify the ideal of a great and powerful Türkiye, regardless of the malevolent circles, at home and abroad.
I would like to wish His Excellency the President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa good health, and success, wish well-being and prosperity to the friendly People of Zimbabwe.
Honourable Frederick Shava read a message on behalf of President ED Mnangagwa who congratulated the Turkish government.
They celebrated the centenary with a showcase of the Turkish cultural music from the Tanini Trio at The Venue in Avondale the following day.
