Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am happy to host the Turkish National
Day Reception today, marking the 99th anniversary of the proclamation of the
Republic of Türkiye.

I would also like to extend my sincere
thanks to all of you for being with us today, sharing our Republic Day, pride
and joy of the Turkish nation. I wish you all, a heartfelt welcome.

Dear
guests,

The Turkish Republic was declared 99
years ago on the 29^thof October 1923. Since then, the Turkish
Republic has been a source of inspiration for modernism and independence against
colonialism.

I would like to take this opportunity to
commemorate the founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his
compatriots for their incredible leadership in forming modern Türkiye. I also
stand in respect to all our fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives defending
our homeland.

Dear
friends,

There is a basic fact we consider: For
the Republic of Türkiye to remain a well-functioning democracy based on common
global values to which we all aspire, it has to remain safe and stable first.

It is an undeniable fact that
Türkiye has faced with very serious challenges within its region and beyond for
several decades. Despite many negative impacts of those challenges on both
interior dynamics and foreign relations, Türkiye has always succeeded in
preserving its indispensable role in diplomacy and world politics with regards
to humanitarian aids in migration crises and poverty, mediation and
problem-solving capacities as recently displayed again in Russian-Ukrainian
war, stable economic partnership in Europe, Americas, Africa and Asia as well
as its respected role in international organizations such as UN and NATO.

Distinguished
guests, Dear Friends,

I would also like to briefly touch upon
the good and friendly relations between Türkiye and Norway.

Turkish-Norwegian diplomatic relations
were established in 1926, three years after the founding of the Republic of Türkiye.

Today, as flank countries of NATO and
non-EU allies, we share many similar positions with Norway, even though we live
in a much more difficult geography. We give utmost importance to our NATO
alliance stand for the strength of it.

We are confident that our relations will
go further in the upcoming periods with both Turkish and Norwegian efforts.

As an ally and a friend, we will continue
to welcome dialogue and take criticism into account from Norway and other
partners only if it is fair and constructive. If significant elements of
background and setting of our policy choices are ignored or lost, the
concluding analyses are doomed to be misleading.

Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,

As we are here to celebrate today, I
will not take more of your time. But before concluding, I would like to
emphasize that this reception bears a significant meaning for me as my last
Republic Day reception with you here in Oslo. I will soon have completed my
tenure and will be heading back to Ankara.

I avail myself of this opportunity to
thank the Norwegian government, Norwegian authorities and the Norwegian society
for their hospitality during these four years we have worked and cooperated
together. I feel privileged to have served sincerely for the relations of our
two friend and ally countries.

I would also like to thank my colleagues
in the diplomatic corps for their support, cooperation and wonderful
friendship.

I am sure our relations will keep its
positive momentum in the upcoming period with the new Ambassador and the
members of the Turkish Embassy in Oslo. (Hereby,
I also would like to recognize the Head of Türkiye-Norway Business Council, Mr.
Mehmet Selahattin Ünlü, who traveled all the way here to be with us today.)

I would like to greet you all once again
with my sincere regards and thank you for your attendance.

Let us raise our glasses for a Happy
Republic Day!