On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Friendship Agreement between Türkiye and Austria, Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun wrote an article titled "Legacy of a Century: On Türkiye-Austria Relations" for Die Presse, one of Austria's top newspapers.
"Signed 100 years ago, this agreement is not only a symbol of the profound ties between the two nations. Over the past century, the agreement has not only fostered strong political relations but has also served as a crucial milestone in mutual understanding and collaboration between the Turkish and Austrian people," said the Director of Communications Altun, expressing his honour at celebrating the centenary of the Friendship Agreement, which represents the deep ties between the two countries and forms a historical bridge between Türkiye and Austria. "Since then, the two nations have worked together in a variety of areas, including trade, arts, culture, and education, all while upholding mutual respect and understanding," he said.
Director of Communications Altun emphasised that through reciprocal high-level visits and strategic meetings over the years, the two countries' political relations have been strengthened and consolidated, and he added that this has made it possible for the two countries to act together on the international scene and adopt a common stance on a number of issues.
Director of Communications Altun stated, "Our overall trade volume has reached around 4 billion dollars," in reference to the nations' economic ties, and said, "Based on the vision outlined by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we anticipate that this trade volume will surpass 5 billion dollars in the near future."
Noting that relations in the areas of culture, art, and tourism have also demonstrated a striking development, Altun stated, ''The collaboration between our nations as well as the bonds of friendship they foster are truly a remarkable privilege in the current global system."
Emphasising that human rights and dignity are "universal values" that Türkiye appreciates and elevates whenever possible on international platforms, the Director of Communications went on to say,
''With this in mind, Türkiye's efforts to find peaceful solutions in the context of the Gaza conflict, which has garnered worldwide attention since October 7, as well as its support for a two-state solution based on parameters set by the UN, are crucial steps towards establishing lasting peace in the region. Today, Türkiye is a country that acts as a playmaker not only within its own borders but also on a regional and global level. It foils the plots against it, playing an active role in addressing crises.
"We have every confidence that the relationship between Türkiye and Austria will continue to grow stronger"
Director of Communications Altun said that maintaining regional stability and peace was a vital component of Türkiye's approach to addressing the crisis between Russia and Ukraine and added,
"Türkiye, with its strategic position in the Black Sea and NATO membership, has played a decisive role in this crisis. Humanitarian initiatives, especially through the grain corridor, have proven Türkiye's leadership in addressing global food security challenges caused by the war. These efforts highlight Türkiye's proactive approach to regional and global challenges.
As two countries committed to fostering global peace, we have every confidence that the relationship between Türkiye and Austria will continue to grow stronger in the coming years. Türkiye will continue to act as a staunch advocate for peace, stability, and cooperation and contribute to building a brighter future for our nation and the world with each stride ahead. I hope our 100-year-old friendship and cooperation will further flourish in the coming years."