On 31th October 2025, Her Excellency Ms. Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, hosted on the occasion of the 102nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye a reception at Kasteel De Wittenburg in The Netherlands. 

More than 350 esteemed guests joined the elegant reception, sharing in the celebration of Türkiye’s 102nd Republic Day and the centuries-old friendship with the Netherlands.

Distinguished guests included Vice Ministers Mr. Michiel Sweers and Ms. Heleen Bakker, Mr. Wouter Kolff; King’s Commissioner in Zuid-Holland, ambassadors, diplomats, Dutch authorities, and representatives of the vibrant Dutch-Turkish community. 

At the outset, Ambassador Yazgan expressed her gratitude to all institutions working with the Embassy—its Consulates General, counsellors, attachés, and cultural and educational organizations—while extending warm appreciation to Dutch counterparts “who are making this relationship possible.”      

The ceremony opened with a historic recording of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s address on the 10th anniversary of the Republic, reminding the audience of the profound foundation upon which modern Türkiye was built. 

The Ambassador underlined that Atatürk’s vision was unmistakably clear: he led a nation to independence not to rule it, but to establish a republic grounded in national sovereignty. She noted that Atatürk’s celebrated principle, “Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation,” continues to echo today in the message of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, creating a powerful line of continuity from the Republic’s founding to its 102nd year.

Ambassador Yazgan reflected on the centuries-old state tradition of the Turkish people, emphasizing the resilience, courage, and unity that enabled them to survive every historic challenge. “The Republic of Türkiye is the final bastion of our nation,” she stated, placing the enduring strength of the state at the centre of her message.

She highlighted a “kindred spirit” in Dutch history, recalling the Dutch struggle for independence and the founding of the Dutch Republic in 1581. With a touch of humour, she corrected a common misconception: “While some German newspapers continue to claim that Germans were the first to recognize the Dutch Republic, I have to say that the Ottomans were the first, not least because they wished to start trade.” Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1612, the partnership between the two nations has flourished, especially economically. The Netherlands is today the largest investor in Türkiye, with bilateral trade reaching 13 billion euros.       

Yet, the Ambassador stressed, the most valuable investment is human capital: the Dutch-Turkish community, evolving since the 1964 labor agreements from blue-collar workers into entrepreneurs, officers, scientists, artists, and innovators. Quoting former Queen Beatrix, she emphasized that “openness and tolerance form a major basis of trust”—a guiding principle shared across centuries.

She traced this commitment to inclusivity back to early Islamic governance in 622 and the Seljuks’ diplomatic tradition of cooperation with diverse communities. She also proudly situated herself within this continuum, noting that one of her predecessors, Aristarki Bey, an Ottoman Greek ambassador, is buried in The Hague, and that she herself is only the second woman to serve in this distinguished line. 

Beyond history and humour, Ambassador Yazgan addressed today’s geopolitical realities with clarity and concern. In a world troubled by conflict, technological upheaval, and political extremism, she called for cooperation within NATO and international institutions. As a diplomat stationed in the “capital of international law,” she emphasized the responsibility to defend a rules-based order—one that, she noted, has tragically failed to prevent the suffering of children in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. 

“Our nations risk losing faith in the strength of democracies,” she warned, urging collective action to protect peace and deter extremism. “Peace is worth much more than any domestic political victory or profits at stock exchange.”

She concluded with a message of determination and optimism, celebrating cooperation with Dutch colleagues and the shared responsibility to elevate diplomacy: “today, I am proud to be part of the diplomatic corps in The Hague where most distinguished diplomats from all over the world have the chance to work with one of the best diplomatic traditions in the world. To our colleagues from MINBUZA: I am fully assured that we shall collectively and in cooperation with each other, make diplomacy great again.”

Following the formal programme, guests were received with the warm hospitality for which Türkiye is renowned. A sumptuous buffet showcasing the depth and richness of Turkish cuisine allowed attendees to savour an array of delicacies. With every bite, guests felt a step closer to Türkiye, its culinary heritage serving as a final reflection of the cultural vibrancy celebrated throughout the evening.