“Humanity Is One Body, Every Nation Is Part of It”
Europe Day was celebrated with a reception at CerModern in Ankara. Speaking at the event, Aivo Orav, Head of the European Union Delegation to Türkiye, said Europe’s future is shared and described EU enlargement as an investment in peace, while quoting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: “Humanity is a single body. Every nation is a part of it.”
Orav and his wife hosted the reception. Before the event, Orav opened the digital exhibitions “Transforming Matter” and “Trace.” Among the guests were Deputy Foreign Minister and Director for EU Affairs Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Deputy Trade Minister Mustafa Tuzcu, Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş, foreign diplomats and guests.
TÜRKİYE REMAINS A KEY PARTNER FOR EUROPE
Orav said Europe was built as a peace project and strengthened through cooperation. He noted that the European Union was founded to turn a continent shaped by conflict into one built on shared values. Calling Türkiye both a key NATO ally and an important EU candidate country, Orav said it was an honour to celebrate Europe Day together in Ankara.
In light of growing global uncertainty, Orav stressed the importance of protecting shared values and preserving peace together.
Speaking about international developments, Orav described Russia’s war against Ukraine as brutal and in violation of international law. He also pointed to the economic impact of conflicts in the Middle East and said Türkiye continues to play an important regional role.
“Türkiye continues to be an island of stability and a bridge for diplomacy,” Orav said.
“EU ENLARGEMENT IS AN INVESTMENT IN PEACE”
Orav said no country can solve global crises such as climate change and security challenges alone.
“We will continue investing together in peace, reforms, and resilience. Europe’s future is shared. EU enlargement is an investment in peace. As a candidate country and NATO ally, Türkiye stands at the centre of this vision,” he said before quoting Atatürk’s words: “Humanity is a single body. Every nation is a part of it.”
“UNCERTAINTY HAS BECOME THE NEW NORMAL”
Deputy Foreign Minister and Director for EU Affairs Mehmet Kemal Bozay said the international system is going through a major transformation.
“We are going through a period of global geopolitical change that is putting pressure on the international system. Uncertainty has become the new normal,” Bozay said.
He added that the international environment is becoming increasingly unstable and warned that current challenges are creating global consequences.
