Ambassador Aslan Alper Yüksel, wth Minister of State, James Kabarebe
Kigali: At Marriott Hotel, with Invited Guests, Embassy of Turkey in Rwanda yesterday celebrated 100th Anniversary of Turkish Independence with the will of strengthening existing ties with Rwanda. Government of Rwanda was represented in the ceremony by the Minister of State, Rtd. Gen. James Kabarebe,who confirmed to improve relations between the two countries.
The Ambassador of Turkey in Kigali, Aslan Alper Yüksel, delivered a message during the reception. Read below his Speech:
It is a great honour for me to welcome you to this reception marking the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye. I thank each and everyone of you FOR BEING WITH US.
I would PARTICULARLY like to thank our guest of Honor, Honorable Minister of state RET. GEN. James Kabarebe. WE ARE very proud and pleased with HIS ATTENDANCE which means a lot to us.
DEAR Rwandan friends,
Banyarwanda Bavandimwe (Dear Rwandan Friends)
Ndashaka kubaha ikaze mwese (I would like to welcome you all.)
Murakoze kuba muri hano. (I thank all of you for being here.)
Nishimiye kwizihiza uno munsi namwe .( I am happy to celebrate this day with you.)
NOW I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY SPEAK IN TURKISH TO DElIVER THE MESSAGE OF THE TURKISH PRESIDENT TO TURKISH CITIZENS IN RWANDA.
Değerli konuklar, Cumhuriyet Bayramı kutlamamıza katıldığınız için teşekkür ediyor, nice bayramlar diliyorum.Cumhuriyetimizin 100. Yıldönümü kutlu olsun. Cumhuriyetimiz ilelebet payidar olsun. SAYIN CUMHURBAŞKANIMIZ ekranlara da yansıttığımız mesajında sizlere gönülden selamlarını ve TürKİYE YÜZYILI HEDEFİNE YÖNELİk KARARLILIĞIMIZI ifade etmiştir. Kutlamalarını sizlere İletmekten onur duyuyorum.
In the PRESIDENTIAL SEAL OF THE REPUBLİC OF TURKİYE THERE ARE 16 STARS WHİCH SYMBOLIZE the 16 TURKISH STATES THAT EXISTED IN THE PAST, GOING BACK AT LEAST 2200 YEARS. We Turks are proud of our deep rooted history.
We are also prideful with our modern day Republic established one hundred years ago by our great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, following the victory against the occupying powers of the time.
His vision for a modern, independent, democratic and advanced country, led the way for us and still guides our nation.
While celebrating our achievements over the last 100 years, we are looking forward to the future with confidence AND DETERMINATION. There is so much to say in this respect. As ıs expressed declared by President Erdoğan IN HIS MESSAGE FOR thıs occasıon, our history is a testament to a brightER future.
Turkiye’s relations with Africa constitutes one of the main components of the Turkish foreign policy.
The relations between Turkiye and Rwanda are characterized by friendship, mutual respect and cooperation. Over the recent years both countries have taken many steps to foster collaboration across a wide range of sectors, such as cooperation in trade, culture, security or education and so on.
2023 has also been rich in terms of such steps.
In January, four (4) additional agreements were signed, bringing the number of bilateral agreements close to thirty. These included the agreements on cultural cooperation, science technology and innovation, general cooperation as well as the host country agreement with the Turkish Maarif Foundation for education here in Rwanda.
This year again, the number of scholarships granted to undergraduate and postgraduate Rwandan students by Turkiye was raised to 19.
These students have already begun their studies in 14 major cities in Türkiye.
With this latest group, the total number of scholarships given to Rwandan students is now 258. There are also more than 600 students currently studying in Turkish Universities by their own means or other mechanisms.
I attach particular importance to Rwandan students in Turkiye, as they are human bridges of friendship between the two countries. Some of them are here among us today.
Capacity building and experience sharing has also been an important aspect of Turkish Rwanda partnership.
This year training activities continued in the field of diplomacy, security, defense as well as water and wastewater management and treatment. Dozens of Rwandan public officials and officers benefited from these.
On various occasions, reciprocal visits continued to take place from both private and public sectors of both countries. Major Turkish and Rwandan companies including the Turkish Airlines and Rwandair, as well as construction companies further developed their already existing good cooperation.
Turkish Foreign Minister was warmly hosted in Kigali in January and His Excellency President Paul Kagame and Honorable Minister Vincent Biruta visited Ankara during the oath taking ceremony of HE President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in June.
A touching moment for me this year was the phone call I received from the Minaffet in February, informing me about the Rwandan Government’s decision to provide financial assistance to the relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye.
Turkiye will not forget the solidarity that Rwanda has displayed in time of need.
Rwanda is a shining example of unity, reconciliation, and progress in Africa. Turkiye is determined to further develop its relations with this remarkable African nation, which continues to advance along the goals of its leadership vision.
TURKİYE İS A CLOSE FRIEND OF RWANDA AND STANDS WITH THE RWANDAN PEOPLE IN THEIR SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY TOWARDS PROSPERITY.
As we continue on our journey for a brighter future, I thank the Rwandan Government; all Rwandan friends and colleagues who are making valuable efforts to develop and deepen our friendship further.
I thank our guest of honor RET. GEN. JAMES KABAREBE the MINISTER of STATE and all of you once again for being here ın our natıonal DAY. I hope you enjoy the celebration. Murakoze Cyane. (End)