This year, we are realizing the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations with Japan and Türkiye with great enthusiasm. Needless to say, our countries have a time-tested historical friendship built upon solidarity in times of need, even much older than the beginning of our official relations.
In line with our strategic partnership established 11 years ago, we aim to carry forward our multi-faceted relations including in the fields of economy, tourism, culture, education, natural disaster management as well as science and technology.
We see economic and trade relations among the main pillars of our partnership. In this regard, I am pleased to witness continuously increasing willingness to strengthen our collaboration in the economic sphere by both countries.
Over the past 2 years, a significant number of Turkish private sector delegations from various sectors including textile, automotive, energy, food, infrastructure, machinery visited Japan. Similarly, the number of Japanese firms broadening contacts in Türkiye for potential partnership and investment opportunities are increasing.
This year, we are realizing the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations with Japan and Türkiye with great enthusiasm.
Korkut Güngen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Japan
This year, in October we will be organizing the 27th Meeting of Türkiye-Japan Business Council in Tokyo, which will surely set the stage for new public and private sector partnerships and diversify our collaboration not only bilaterally but also in third countries.
The conclusion of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is also in our agenda. We believe EPA will constitute a sound basis for our commercial relations to flourish and pave the way for enhanced cooperation and investments.
In line with the global energy transformation and the effects of climate change, energy and decarbonization are also in the forefront in our bilateral agenda. This year, we aim to organize the first Türkiye-Japan Energy Forum in Tokyo in order to deepen our cooperation in renewable energy, energy efficiency as well as new technologies.
We are also pleased with the new developments in other fields besides economy. We have accelerated our efforts pertaining to the operationalization of Turkish-Japanese Science and Technology University (TJU) in İstanbul and hope to have the opening this year.
We see economic and trade relations among the main pillars of our partnership. In this regard, I am pleased to witness continuously increasing willingness to strengthen our collaboration in the economic sphere by both countries.
On the other hand, we utilize the centennial anniversary to organize various cultural events including cinema and gastronomy weeks, Turkish classical music concerts and thematic exhibitions to promote Turkish-Japanese friendship as well as Türkiye in general. We are also proud to receive Turkish Corvette TCG Kınalıada this year, at Kushimoto, Tokyo and Hiroshima, which allowed us to commemorate the legacy of Ertuğrul Frigate that visited Japan in 1980 as well as emphasize the strength of our bonds.
With Osaka Expo on the way, without doubt we will only continue to deepen and expand our cooperation as the two like-minded friend countries advocating fundamental universal values and create new success stories for next generations. As the Ambassador of Türkiye to Japan, I am proud to be part of this joint effort.
