Hollanda Türk toplumunun kıymetli mensupları, Beste Wethouders, Madame Directeur, Beste
Gasten, Dames en Heren, Hanımefendiler, Beyefendiler,

De eerste keer dat ik naar Deventer kwam, was op seven en twentig
oktober twee thouzend tin. At the time, I was a junior diplomat at the Turkish
Embassy in The Hague. I remember the date clearly because I was invited to the
National Day Reception of the Turkish Consulate in Deventer. It was a long
drive from The Hague, but it was worth it: a beautiful autumn feulliage, cafes
at the Brink, and the reception at De Schouwburg. I had very fond memories.

But I had not imagined that after 13 years I would drive back in
Deventer as the new Turkish Consul General. We recently celebrated the 100th
Anniversary of our Republic. This time, me and my wife hosted the National Day
Reception here in Deventer. I find it as a special personal connection
with this beautiful city. Hayatımda ilk kez Cumhuriyet Bayramı resepsiyonu
vesilesiyle 2010'da geldiğim Deventer'de, Cumhuriyetin 100. yıl resepsiyonunu
bu yıl Başkonsolos olarak eşimle birlikte düzenlemiş olmak, Deventer ile
aramızda ayır bir bağ kurmuş oldu.

This anniversary also sparked the idea of organizing this event,
with the theme of connections. Daarom wil ik de directeur en bestuurders van de
Bibliotheek Deventer, de leden van de Nederlandse Turkse gemeenschap in
Deventer, Ali, Zafer en Halil Beyler, Beste Wilma, de gemeente en iydereyn die
betrokken is bij de organisatie van dit evenement bedanken.

Dutch-Turkish connections span over five centuries. We never
fought a war against each other, which is quite a rare situation for any
country in Europe. The Netherlands was one of the first to sign a Treaty of
Friendship with the newly established Republic of Türkiye in 1924. Next year,
marks the 100th anniversary of this Treaty. Our connections are based on common
values and our solid alliance within the NATO, which dates back to the 1950s.

Our economic relations have always been strong: The Netherlands is
the biggest foreign investor in Türkiye. We are each other's top 10-15 trading
partners for many years. The presence of Dutch companies in Türkiye goes back a
century.

However, I think the Dutch Turkish community is the most important
aspect of our connections. More than half a million people of Turkish
background live in the Netherlands, roughly 8 thousand here in Deventer.

Still, when I introduce myself as the Consul General in Deventer,
outside of Deventer, I often come across with a puzzled face: Where is
Deventer? or Why in Deventer? back in Türkiye I once heard: What is Deventer?

Dear friends, such reactions only provoke me to tell the true
story:

Deventer was an industry centre and guestworkers were welcome in
the factories. It is centrally located on the eastern Netherlands, almost equal
distance to other Turkish population centres in Arnhem, Hengelo and Zwolle, and
to Groningen in the north and to Limburg in the south. Thus, as early as 1976,
Turkish Government opens up the Consulate in Deventer. It is one of the oldest
in Europe.

Turkish guestworkers hoped to return to Türkiye, but a series of
unfortunate events held them back. They stayed, keeping their connections with
Türkiye, but beginning to call Deventer home, even without noticing it. By the
end of 90's it became clear that they are here to stay.

It has not always been a happy story. There were many challenges
and struggles. Many people were estranged, discriminated or lost their ways.
But goodwill, mutual respect and joint efforts prevailed. In Deventer and
elsewhere, emerged a Dutch Turkish community of different beliefs, ethnicities,
subcultures and languages, reflecting the diversity of my country.

Arrival of Turkish guestworkers was an organized plan with a solid
legal framework, an international aggrement signed between the Turkish and
Dutch governments. Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the workforce
agreement betwen our two countries.

I think this is a story to be remembered and to be told. Also
because we now witness fear and unrest among the Dutch society. After many
years of manipulations, prejudices and half-truths, a majority of Dutch people
seem to believe that the newcomers are to blame for everything. They say that
the newcomers, others, people who are different are to blame. Some preach
hatred against Muslims.

But when I look at this hall I see nothing to blame. I can only
see things to celebrate. I don't see any hatred. There is love and hope in the
traditional tapestries made by Dutch Turkish youth on the occasion of the
opening of the Centrum Mosque. They have been on display at the Mosque for the
past 20 years. Please take your time to honour these artworks. I see friendship
and respest in the photos in exhibit. Please take your time to read their
stories.

Beste vrienden, Sevgili Dostlar,

Hollanda'dan bu zengin çeşitliliğe sahip, dinamik, yaratıcı,
kanunları gözeten, çalışkan, zeki, başarılı Hollanda Türk toplumunu bu haliyle
kucaklamasını istiyoruz. Çünkü Hollanda Türk toplumunun varlığı, ekonomide,
toplum hayatında ve siyasette Hollanda'nın aydınlık geleceğine katkı
verecektir.

We ask the Netherlands embrace this diverse, dynamic, creative,
law-abiding, hardworking, smart, succesful Dutch Turkish community as they are.
Because the presence of Dutch Turks will only contribute to the bright
economic, social and political future of the Netherlands.

Dank u well.Teşekkür ederim.