Today, H.E. Mr. Selçuk Ünal, Ambassador of Turkey to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, hosted an elegant reception in Wassenaar, The Hague, to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey.
The event welcomed an impressive array of attendees, including the President of the Dutch Senate, several parliamentarians, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors, diplomats from various countries, and representatives from both the Turkish business community and the Dutch-Turkish community. Together, they honored Turkey’s journey from the War of Independence in 1923, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, to the dynamic nation it is today.
Reflecting on the past century, Ambassador Ünal highlighted Turkey’s resilience and progress, noting President Erdoğan’s vision for the “Century of Türkiye” as a period of further national development and advancement. This year also marks a milestone in Turkish-Dutch relations with the centenary of the Treaty of Friendship between Turkey and the Netherlands.
“Turkey and the Netherlands share nearly 500 years of peaceful relations and mutual respect, standing as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations.”
“As you know, this year we are also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between the Republic of Türkiye and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was one of the first seven countries that recognized the new Turkish Republic.”
Ambassador Ünal emphasized the historical strength of the Turkish-Dutch relationship, which has seen both nations collaborate through various international platforms, including the Council of Europe, NATO, UN peacekeeping missions, OSCE, OECD, and OPCW. The Wittenburg Conference, established in The Hague in 2008, symbolizes this enduring partnership and commitment to global cooperation. Ambassador Ünal acknowledged recent diplomatic visits, including Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s visit to Turkey and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s April visit to The Hague for the 10th Wittenburg Conference.
“Trade and economic ties have also grown robustly, with the Netherlands ranking as Turkey’s largest investor and Turkish investments in the Netherlands leading in Turkish foreign direct investment (FDI) for the past two years.” This year also commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Türkiye-Netherlands Labor Agreement, which has strengthened bilateral bonds through the nearly half-million-strong Dutch-Turkish community and their contributions to Dutch society. “Today we have an increasing trade volume of more than 13 billion Euros.
The Netherlands is the largest investor in Türkiye. Likewise, Turkish investments in the Netherlands are at the top for the last two years in terms of Turkish FDI overseas. Since the signing of the Türkiye-Netherlands Labor Agreement in 1964, the Dutch-Turkish community of nearly half a million people has made a great contribution to the Netherlands. That is why, we are also celebrating the 60th anniversary of the signature of the Labor Agreement this year.”
Ambassador Ünal highlighted recent developments, such as the opening of an Honorary Consulate General in Amersfoort, with Mr. Titus Kramer as Honorary Consul General, and the re-establishment of Turkey’s Treasury Office at the Embassy and Commercial Attaché Office in Amsterdam. These advancements underscore Turkey’s commitment to deepening its ties with the Netherlands.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Ünal expressed gratitude for the swift condolences from Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, and other Dutch colleagues following the recent terrorist attack on a Turkish factory. Their solidarity reflects the shared resilience between the two nations.
The celebration concluded with a showcase of Turkish cuisine. Guests enjoyed an elaborate buffet featuring a fine selection of Turkish flavors, culminating in a spread of sweets showcasing the richness of Turkish gastronomy. This memorable evening was made possible through the support of Turkish Airlines, Credit Europe Bank, Edelstaal Group, Bereket Baklava, Laila Den Haag, and the dedicated team of the Turkish Residence.
