The Embassy of Guatemala in Ankara hosted a reception to celebrate the 204th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Ambassador Eduardo Enrique Hernandez Recinos and his wife Monica Recinos welcomed guests at the Hilton Hotel. The event brought together numerous ambassadors, foreign mission representatives, and distinguished guests, including Yaprak Balkan, Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean at Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The evening featured an exhibition of photographs showcasing Guatemalan culture, followed by the national anthems of Türkiye and Guatemala.
STRENGTHENING DEFENSE COOPERATION
In his speech, Ambassador Recinos highlighted the significance of Guatemala’s 204th independence anniversary, noting that El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua also achieved independence on September 15, 1821.
He underscored the importance of bilateral defense ties, stating: “During the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, our Defense Ministers Henry Sáenz and Yaşar Güler signed a Military Framework Agreement. This agreement creates new opportunities for cooperation, and we welcome the interest shown by companies such as ASELSAN. Our collaboration is not limited to national security; it also includes enhancing capabilities in peacekeeping operations under United Nations supervision. Moreover, our Defense Attaché Office, currently led by Colonel Byron Jiménez, continues to strengthen cooperation in this area. In the coming period, we plan to sign a Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement, which will be another important step forward.”
THE COFFEE MARKET IN TÜRKİYE
Recinos also touched on trade, emphasizing Türkiye’s rapidly growing coffee market: “The numbers already speak for themselves. With the support of the National Coffee Association, our Embassy will continue to promote Guatemalan coffee as a symbol of excellence in the Turkish market.”
He added that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez will soon meet in Ankara, expressing confidence that the meeting will lead to concrete steps and greater achievements in bilateral relations.
RELATIONS DATING BACK TO THE OTTOMAN ERA
Ambassador Yaprak Balkan congratulated Guatemala on its national day, recalling that ties between the two countries date back to the Ottoman Empire. She emphasized that the reciprocal opening of embassies in 2015 and 2017 marked a turning point in strengthening relations, highlighting the importance of high-level visits to further deepen cooperation.
“WE MUST EXPAND OUR TRADE VOLUME”
Balkan also stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral trade: “In recent years, our trade volume has ranged between 100 and 150 million US dollars. We are ready to take further steps to increase this figure. Among all areas of mutual interest, cultural cooperation is the most important for us. People may not always realize it, but the coffee a young person is holding in a shopping mall often comes from Guatemala. Let us not forget the Turkish saying, ‘a cup of coffee is remembered for forty years.’ Just like the rich flavor of Guatemalan coffee, we wish our bonds of friendship to remain strong, lasting, and enduring for years to come.”
