MESSAGE BY THE AMBASSADOR

MESSAGE BY THE AMBASSADOR
OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY TO INDONESIA

On 29 October 2002, we have celebrated the 79th Anniversary of
the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey. The Turkish nation
created a modern and secular state from the ashes of Ottoman
Empire under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

After our War of Liberation against the occupying forces and
the Proclamation of the Republic in 1923, the task of defending a
nation through arms was replaced by the task of giving the
emerging young state purpose and direction. As his victories of
the battlefield, Ataturk's effort to direct Turkish society into
the mainstream of contemporary twentieth century life were
successful.

Among the new nation's reform, women received the right to
vote before many of their European counterparts. By incorporating
the conception of secularism to its constitution, the religious
affairs was separated from the state affair and freedom religion
and conscience was guaranteed.

The reform initiated by Ataturk, constituted an important
example and model for the third world countries. Building on
Ataturks foundations succeeding generations have transformed
Turkey into a powerful state based on parliamentary democracy and
free market economy.

Turkey is located at a point where Europe and Asia meet. This
brings Turkey a strategic importance, as well as being at the
center of over-lapping economic zones. With the oil and gas-rich
states of Central Asia, Turkey has not just geographic but also
cultural and kinship affinity. Turkey is also the industrial and
trading hub of the states around the Black Sea and the Near East.

But underlining both its Western vocation and economic
strength is its customs union with the European Union established
in 1996. Turkish products compete at and abroad on equal terms
with those of the most developed countries.

Turkey is poised to play a constructive role in the political
and economic reconstructions of the Balkans, Caucasus, and Middle
East. Turkey's leadership in these areas is all the more valuable
for its example as a secular democracy where the great majority
of its populations professes Islam.

Its unique geographical position gives Turkey European,
Balkan, Middle Eastern, Caucasian, Mediterranean and Asian
identities all at the same time and necessitates a multi-
dimensional foreign policy.

Turkey's foreign policy can best be explained by the word of
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk "Peace at home, Peace in the world". Turkey
seeks to promote relations of friendship and cooperation based on
the principles of respect for sovereignty, security, territorial
integrity, non-intervention in internal affairs, equity,
equality, and balance of mutual interests with the countries in
her region as well as with countries in the world.

For the past three decades, Turkey has been the fastest
growing economic in Europe, a country in transformation, with
rapidly developing financial markets, a dynamic entrepreneurial
class, a fast growing industrial base and vigorous consumer
society.

The deep-rooted and genuine friendship established between
Turkey and Indonesia does not date back just over a few decades
but over four centuries. The cooperation between Turkish-Ottoman
navy and their Indonesian brothers during the sixteenth century,
in the struggle against the colonial aggressors is a
manifestation of the Turkish People's sentiments towards their
brother in Indonesia.

The then residence of the Turkish Consul General in Batavia,
today the Textiles Museum, is a standing proof of the continuity
of our relations, despite the great distance separating our
countries.

On the other hand, Turks still remember the assistance
provided by the Indonesians in 1923 to ease the wound of our war
of Liberation.

The friendship between our two peoples constitutes a solid a
basis to strengthen our bilateral relation. These sentiments and
the existence of political will on both sides enable us to
further promote and diversify our bilateral relations, in every
field.

Turkey is determined to further enhance the friendship and
solidarity between our two nations, which is built over the ages,
by intensifying and diversifying its bilateral relations with
brotherly Indonesia in every domain.