Turkish Presidency’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran met with international media representatives in Ankara ahead of the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, emphasizing Türkiye’s strategic role within the Alliance and the importance of fostering stronger ties between nations through cultural diplomacy.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications for foreign journalists covering the summit, Duran welcomed participants from across the world and underscored the significance of the upcoming gathering.

“Welcome to Türkiye. We are meeting at a time when the focus of global diplomacy is once again on our country,” Duran said. “The NATO Leaders’ Summit is a historic event that will help shape the Alliance’s future strategic vision. In ensuring that the developments and outcomes of this summit are conveyed accurately and comprehensively to the world, your role as members of the international press is invaluable.”

He noted that the Directorate of Communications had mobilized all available resources to provide journalists with the best possible working conditions throughout the summit.

Showcasing Türkiye Beyond Diplomacy

Duran explained that the dinner was designed not only as a respite from the demanding summit schedule but also as an opportunity to introduce visiting journalists to Türkiye’s culture, history, traditions, and hospitality.

While formal relations between states are often built through official agreements, summits, and diplomatic engagements, Duran said that lasting connections between societies emerge through shared experiences and human interaction.

“Sometimes a meal shared around the same table can communicate more than pages of diplomatic texts,” he remarked.

According to Duran, Turkish cuisine reflects centuries of cultural exchange and historical interaction stretching across Anatolia, the Balkans, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and the Middle East. This rich heritage, he said, has produced one of the world’s most diverse and vibrant culinary traditions.

Yet beyond its variety of flavors and dishes, what makes Turkish cuisine unique is the culture of sharing that surrounds it.

“In our tradition, the table is a place where everyone sits as an equal,” Duran said. “Hospitality is not merely about serving food; it is about building bonds, showing respect, and strengthening human connections.”

He pointed to the Turkish expression “the right of salt and bread,” which symbolizes the deep and lasting ties formed through sharing a meal.

Cuisine as a Form of Soft Power

Duran also highlighted the growing role of gastronomy in international relations, describing cuisine as one of the most effective instruments of cultural diplomacy and soft power.

Today, many countries use their culinary heritage to strengthen their international image and promote cultural understanding. Türkiye, he argued, possesses a unique advantage in this area thanks to its centuries-old gastronomic tradition.

He noted that Turkish cities such as Gaziantep, Hatay, and Afyonkarahisar have earned recognition within UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for gastronomy, while products such as Antep baklava have received geographical indication status from the European Union.

Duran also highlighted the international recognition of Turkish coffee, which is included on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“Turkish coffee represents far more than a beverage,” he said. “It symbolizes conversation, hospitality, and friendships that deepen over time. As we often say, ‘a cup of coffee is remembered for forty years.’”

Strengthening Türkiye’s Gastrodiplomacy Vision

The Communications Director said that Türkiye continues to expand its gastrodiplomacy efforts as part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening cultural engagement with the world.

He praised the contributions of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, whose patronage of Turkish Cuisine Week has helped increase the global visibility of Turkish culinary traditions since the initiative was launched in 2022.

Duran also pointed to the publication of Turkish Cuisine with Century-Old Recipes, a comprehensive work documenting 218 traditional recipes and preserving important elements of the country’s culinary heritage.

These initiatives, he said, not only promote Turkish cuisine internationally but also highlight values such as sustainability, healthy nutrition, reducing food waste, supporting local producers, and preserving cultural traditions for future generations.

Türkiye’s Role Within NATO

Following the event, Duran shared additional remarks on social media, reaffirming Türkiye’s longstanding commitment to NATO and its contribution to the Alliance’s security.

Describing Türkiye as a strong and indispensable NATO member, he cited the country’s strategic geographic position, military capabilities, and advanced defense industry.

Referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s previous statements, Duran noted that Türkiye has been among the Alliance’s leading contributors to collective security for more than seventy years.

“At the same time, NATO remains an integral part of Türkiye’s security architecture and deterrence strategy,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Duran thanked the journalists for their participation and expressed hope that the summit would not only advance international cooperation but also provide visiting media representatives with a deeper understanding of Türkiye’s culture, hospitality, and global outlook. (ILKHA)