Indonesia-Turkiye Friendship Association Launched to Promote Closer Ties

The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara launched the establishment of the Indonesia-Turkiye Friendship Association.

IDXChannel - The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara launched the establishment of the Indonesia-Turkiye Friendship Association  in order to strengthen the second track of diplomacy in relations between the two countries, 

The launching was held during a Diplomatic Reception in commemoration of the 78th Indonesian independence which took place at Wisma Duta, Ankara on August 24.  

The launch was led by Eren Gunhan Ulusoy, the Indonesian Honorary Consul in Samsun, who is also a prominent businessman in Turkiye and was appointed as chairman of the association and Indonesian Ambassador to Turkiye, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal. 

"The role of the government or first track diplomacy will remain important, but no longer sufficient. Diplomatic actors are increasingly numerous and varied. Increasing bilateral relations between the two countries that have been built both historically and emotionally requires the involvement of various stakeholders such as NGOs and non-governmental actors. This development requires the support of second track diplomacy," explained the Indonesian Honorary Consul in a media statement released on Monday (28/8/2023).

The Indonesia - Turkiye Friendship Association was officially registered as a legal entity in Turkiye on August 17, 2023. A number of high-profile names are recorded as the founders of the association, including Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar Technology, which is Turkiye's leading drone company.

Other names listed as founders are Ambassador Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, Tahir Nursacan (Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Kayseri), Kadem Cakiroglu (Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Trabzon), Yudhi Ardian (Counsellor of the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara), and a number of businessmen, Alper Ozbilen, Ibrahim Cavga and Ilhan Erdal.

"The establishment of the association is expected to strengthen Indonesia's diplomacy in Turkiye. One of the immediate projects is the post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation project in one of the earthquake-affected provinces in Turkiye. This project will be the flagship program of the association supported by the governments of both countries and Indonesian NGOs" explained Dhanny Perkasa, Counselor at the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara who helped oversee the establishment of the association. (WHY)