SPEECH AT THE NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION

                                                                                                       29.10.2012

Honourable Ministers,

Respected members of the Mongolian Great Khural,

Distinguished representatives of international community,

My dear citizens and guests,

It is a great privilege and honour for me to address  such an auspicious audience. Before beginning my speech,  I would like to invite all of you to show respect for the national anthems of Mongolia and Turkey.

Dear guests,

We gathered this evening to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey which was founded under the able leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, great statesman of the modern-day Turkish nation. “Peace at Home Peace in the World; this motto articulated by Atatürk has been the guiding principal of the Turkish foreing policy.

To commemorate this occasion in such a friendly country like Mongolia with which we are proud of sharing a common culture and history makes it much  more meaningful to us. Orkhun monuments, which are the first known Turkish historical inscriptions from the Gokturk State period dating back to early 8th century are still standing the evidence of  the deep-rooted bonds between Turkey and Mongolia. One can even find this affinity in  commonly used words in both Mongolian and Turkish languages.

In fact, areas of  cooperation between Turkey and Mongolia have gained further depth and diversity in recent years.  The bilateral agreements have reached almost 100 and the trade volume contracted 50 million US Dollars annually, coupled with numerous development projects assumed by the Turkish International Cooperation and. Development Agency (TIKA). We firmly believe that the Turkish Airlines’ flights between Istanbul and Ulanbaatar which started on July 2012 will further accelarate the cooperation in the economic, commercial and cultural spheres.

I should also express with great appreciation that the construction of our Embassy’s office and residence buildings in Ulanbaataar are underway as planned and I hope that next year we will be able to have this meeting inside our new and prestigous compound.

Besides, it is a source of  pride for us to see that over one thousand young Mongolians are studying in various Turkish universities. This figure shows the strenght of the pillars of the human bridge which is silently being constructed between the two nations. Moreover, we observe with great satisfaction that  the Mongolian-Turkish schools have also brought quality and competition into the education sector in Mongolia.  

Distinguished guests,

Turkey is not only located at the borders of Europe and Asia but also stands at the heart of Eurasia. We are willing to contribute, by our dynamic, multi-dimensional, humanitarian, reliable and orderly foreign policy, to the continuation of peace and stability in Eurasia. We think that more intensive, more comprehensive and richer cooperation can be achieved in this continent by setting out a broader vision, stronger and concerted actions, and more self confidence through solid projects.    

Hence, while thanking you all for honouring our National Day Reception,  I would like to express my best wishes for the welfare and prosperity of Mongolian people.

(Toast)