Emine Erdoğan Welcomed Women Ambassadors and Ambassadors' Wives at the Presidential Complex

Giving a dinner to female ambassadors and spouses of ambassadors serving abroad at the Presidential Complex, Emine Erdoğan said in her speech, "We are transforming international relations from a battle of interests to a carrier element of our civilization. What makes me happiest about these relations we have established is the humanitarian aid we provide to developing countries. For the last ten years, Turkey has been sharing the power of its growing economy with underdeveloped countries. This brings blessings to our country."

Emine Erdoğan hosted a luncheon for the Ambassadors' wives who are in Turkey on the occasion of the 8th Ambassadors' Conference. The luncheon was attended by Hülya Çavuşoğlu, wife of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, women ambassadors and nearly 150 spouses of ambassadors.

"OUR UNITY AND SOLIDARITY WILL BE THE BEST ANSWER TO TERRORISM"

During the dinner held at the Presidential Complex, Emine Erdoğan addressed her guests. At the beginning of her speech, Emine Erdoğan expressed her strong condemnation of yesterday's terrorist attack in Sultanahmet Square and said, "I consider this attack in Sultanahmet Square, in the heart of history, as a betrayal of humanity and the heritage of humanity. Such attempts against the peace of our country will never achieve their goal. Our unity and solidarity will be the best answer to terrorism."

"WE HAVE DEVELOPED VERY SPECIAL RELATIONS WITH HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY"

Emphasizing that Turkey's foreign missions, which are one of the largest diplomatic networks in the world and have reached 234 in number, have played a positive role in the changing perception of Turkey in the world in the last 10 years, Emine Erdoğan said: "In the past, Turkey was a country whose location was unknown, but today it has become a country known and recognized for its strong personality and determined foreign policy goals. From Africa to America, from Far Asia to Europe, we have developed very special relations through 'humanitarian diplomacy'. In many countries we visit, we can now communicate with people in the language of the heart. We are transforming international relations from a battle of interests into a carrier element of our civilization. The most pleasing aspect of these relations we have established is the humanitarian aid we provide to developing countries. For the last decade, Turkey has been sharing the power of its growing economy with underdeveloped countries. This brings blessings to our country. We are among the world's leading countries in foreign aid with 3.5 billion dollars. We rank first in terms of gross national product. We are proud to be the most generous country in the world."

Emphasizing that 2015 was a difficult year for the oppressed people of the Middle East, Emine Erdoğan reminded that 2.5 million Syrians and Iraqis were hosted in Turkey with the contributions of the state and non-governmental organizations and said, "I know that there are many beautiful people all over Anatolia who have opened their homes to our Syrian brothers and sisters and shared their bread with them. On this occasion, I greet their sublime hearts from here."

"SAVING A HUMAN BEING IS SAVING HUMANITY"

Pointing out that the humanitarian tragedy in Syria has entered a new phase and deaths from starvation have begun, as in the town of Madaya, Emine Erdoğan said, "In Madaya alone, more than 40 thousand people are under siege and cannot access food, this is really the place where the word ends." She added, "In this situation where the international community remains insensitive, our duty is to continue the language of humanitarian and conscientious diplomacy and not to withhold the humanitarian aid we can from them. Saving a human being means saving humanity."

"I believe that women's sensitivity softens the hard corners of politics and brings international relations to a more humanitarian level," Emine Erdoğan said, noting that the extensive international network of the Foreign Affairs creates an advantage for women members of the Foreign Affairs community to use the language of humanitarian and conscientious diplomacy and to continue humanitarian aid.

HEART AMBASSADORS MOBILIZATION

Emphasizing that this sensitivity can first be shown for our compatriots living abroad, Emine Erdoğan said, "On this occasion, I expect your contribution to carry the mobilization we have started in Turkey under the name of 'Heart Ambassadors' to Europe with the support of these institutions. I invite our citizens living abroad to take care of our orphaned children there. Only with these protections can we protect them from identity crisis and transform them into individuals who are at peace with their essence."

At the end of her speech, Emine Erdoğan thanked her guests for accepting her invitation and concluded her speech by wishing 2016 to be an even better year than 2015 and to bring peace and tranquility.

13.01.2016