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.