100 years of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Latvia: A new era in trade and investment

The World Turkish Business Council (DTİK) aims to create a strong network of communication and information sharing within the framework of diaspora diplomacy by bringing together Turkish businesspeople living abroad.

In this context, DTİK Riga Representative Hakan Uzunosmanoğlu and DTİK Jekabpils Representative Tolga Kıran visited the DEİK Headquarters in Istanbul on December 9.

ROADMAP DETERMINED

During the visit, a coordination meeting was held with the DTİK Secretariat. At the meeting, activities to be carried out and the roadmap to be followed in line with the goal of strengthening and developing the Turkish diaspora in Latvia were discussed. Following the meeting, DTİK certificates were presented to the representatives.

(Tolga Kıran, Sevgi Yılmaz, Hakan Uzunosmanoğlu)

HONORARY CONSULATE CEREMONY AT TAV HOLDING BUILDING

Following the visit to the DEİK Headquarters, the delegation moved to TAV Holding and attended the ceremony held on the occasion of the appointment of Vehbi Serkan Kaptan, Chairman of the DEİK Turkey-Latvia Business Council and CEO of TAV Airports, as the Honorary Consul of Latvia.

HIGH-LEVEL PARTICIPATION FROM LATVIA

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Baiba Braze, the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia, Bahtijors Hasans, as well as Turkish and Latvian officials.

Within the scope of the ceremony, future planned events and cooperation opportunities were discussed.

AMBASSADOR HASANS: WE HAVE A SOLID LEGISLATIVE FOUNDATION FOR COOPERATION

Responding to 12punto's questions at the ceremony, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia, Bahtijors Hasans, answered the question “How can we improve relations between Turkey and Latvia?” by saying, “Latvia and Turkey… We are not new partners, we are quite old partners, and very soon, on January 3, 2025, we will celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Latvia. Furthermore, we have a solid legislative foundation for cooperation between the two countries.”

On the other hand, Ambassador Bahtijors Hasans stated, “One of our biggest goals is to develop economic and commercial relations and provide incentives for investments for both sides. As Latvia, we are the hub of the three Baltic countries and we are part of the European Union, we are a full member of the European Union. We are in the Eurozone, we are in the Schengen area, and we are in the customs union. We have things to offer for the Turkish business world.”

HONORARY CONSUL SERKAN KAPTAN: “WE WANT TO INTRODUCE LATVIA AND ITS OPPORTUNITIES TO TURKISH INVESTORS”

Honorary Consul Serkan Kaptan said regarding the DEİK-DTİK coordination and efforts, “Today, we actually held a Latvia investment conference here. We invited both our friends who do business in Latvia and those who are considering doing business. What is important here is to be able to introduce Latvia and the opportunities there to Turkish investors. Likewise, to explain the opportunities in Turkey. The 100th anniversary of diplomatic cooperation between Turkey and Latvia, 2025, therefore carries special importance. There are cultural ties between Turkey and Latvia. Latvians visit our country a lot. A large number of students from Turkey are also receiving higher education in Latvia. We have mutual exchange. As the business council, we strongly support the trade volume. Last year, there was a mutual volume reaching 400 million Euros. The cultural relationship between the countries is also developing further thanks to both tourism and our students. The two countries know each other better, and partnerships are beginning. This situation improves the relations between the two countries.”

DTİK Riga Representative Hakan Uzunosmanoğlu also answered 12punto's questions during his visit to the DEİK Headquarters. Responding to the question “What is the scope of the DTİK activities program?”, Uzunosmanoğlu said, “Our most important goal is to bring together Turkish businesspeople in Latvia and gather them under the roof of DTİK. Then, we want to strengthen the Turkish-Latvian Businesspeople Association. We also want to gather other DTİK unions and businesspeople associations in Lithuania and Estonia in the Baltic region under a single roof and make them strong. Afterwards, under the leadership of DEİK President and TAV Holding CEO Serkan Kaptan and our newly appointed Ankara Ambassador Bahtijors Hasans, we aim to open a new channel and door under this roof.”

About DTİK

DTİK brings together successful individuals from different fields such as academia, culture-arts, and sports, as well as Turkish businesspeople worldwide. With 7 regional representations and 85 country representations, it continues its activities within the framework of the principle of national unity and solidarity. Under the presidency of DEİK and DTİK President Nail Olpak, efforts to increase the strategic power of the Turkish diaspora continue.

News Source : 12punto