WASHINGTON (AA) – The Turkish Embassy in Washington, on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the Republic, held two separate receptions for US officials, think tanks and media representatives, foreign mission representatives and Turkish citizens living in the US.
The 99th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey and the Republic Day of October 29 are celebrated with enthusiasm in foreign representations as well as in the country.
The Turkish Embassy in Washington held two receptions on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the Republic.
The daytime reception was attended by the US Department of State, Deputy Undersecretary for Energy Resources Geoffy Pyatt, as well as many senior US officials, think tank representatives and American journalists.
Turkey’s Ambassador to Washington, Hasan Murat Mercan, addressed the guests at the very crowded reception where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s October 29 Republic Day Message was read.
Mercan said that since its establishment, Turkey has contributed to peace, stability and security both in its neighbors and in the Transatlantic Community.
Explaining that what is needed at a time when the world is exposed to great power competition is the joint efforts of friendly countries, Mercan noted that the world requires capable, willing and reliable partners to join forces against many unknown threats.
Noting that Turkey and the USA are two powers that will make joint efforts against these difficulties, Ambassador Mercan continued as follows:
“I am pleased to see that the two countries have become closer to each other for this purpose in the last year. We have established the Turkey-USA Strategic Mechanism between the two countries for reconciliation and mutually agreed solutions to conflicts.”
Addressing the American guests, Coral renews his commitment to strengthen strong cooperation and bilateral relations as a NATO ally, saying, “Together, we must lead efforts of unconditional support to Ukraine. Likewise, we must be able to support the diplomatic solution (to the Ukrainian war) on the basis of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity. We must promote peace, stability and dialogue in the Southern Caucasus to the benefit of all parties. We must devise ways to make the best use of the energy resources of the Eastern Mediterranean. We must find mutually beneficial, feasible and creative solutions to the hydrocarbon resources of the region. The time is now. Tomorrow is too late. it could be.” he called.
Emphasizing that Turkey and the USA should focus on a broad positive agenda, Mercan said that the two countries should aim to win together, otherwise they would both lose.
HUNDREDS OF TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN THE USA WERE WELCOME TO THE EMBASSY RESIDENCE
On the other hand, a reception was held for Turkish citizens in the USA at the embassy residence in the evening.
Ambassador Mercan gave a speech here to celebrate the 29 October holiday of the Turkish community.
He said that during his two-year mandate, he tried to put forward a positive agenda in Turkish-American relations and they started to see the results of this.
Pointing to the importance of the contribution of the Turkish community in the USA to the relations between the two countries, Mercan said that all Turkish representatives in the USA are ready to provide all kinds of support to Turkish citizens and that he is trying to come together with all segments from Turkish business people to students.
President Erdoğan’s congratulatory message to the Turkish community in the USA was also read at the reception.