Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran attended the dinner reception hosted by the Directorate of Communications for members of the international press ahead of the NATO Leaders’ Summit.
Addressing foreign journalists in English, Head of Communications Duran expressed his pleasure at welcoming members of the international media from across the world to Türkiye and said:
"Welcome to Türkiye. Our gathering today coincides with a historic moment in which the heart of global politics is beating in Türkiye, as we prepare to host the NATO Leaders’ Summit. This Summit is of historic importance in shaping NATO’s strategic vision for the future. Your role, as members of the international press, is therefore vital in conveying the proceedings of this critical Summit to the global public accurately and comprehensively. As the Directorate of Communications of the Republic of Türkiye, we have mobilised all our resources to meet your professional needs to the highest standard. Throughout this busy period, we hope to provide you with the best possible working environment. I wish each of you every success in your work."
Head of Communications Duran stated that the dinner had been designed not only as an opportunity to offer journalists a brief respite from their demanding schedule, but also as an occasion to introduce Türkiye through its culture, people, history, and culinary heritage, and remarked, "Relations between states are shaped through official documents, summits, and diplomatic engagements. However, we know that the closeness forged among societies is different. They are built through experiences that are far more human and far more enduring. Sometimes, a meal shared around the same table can convey what pages of text cannot. In this sense, Turkish cuisine is the product of a rich historical legacy, a vast geographical experience, and a profound cultural memory."
"Every dish on your table tells the story of a collective memory"
Emphasising that the story of the Turkish nation reflects a rich diversity in which Eastern and Western cultures have come together, Head of Communications Duran continued, "Turkish cuisine is likewise the product of this rich cultural interaction throughout history. Particularly during the Ottoman era, it served as a powerful bridge among three continents and countless culinary traditions. Across a vast region stretching from the Middle East to the Mediterranean, from the Balkans to the Caucasus, and from Central Anatolia to the Aegean, ingredients, cooking techniques, spices, dining customs, and traditions of hospitality continuously influenced one another. The result was a multilayered, vibrant, and exceptionally rich culinary culture. Yet what makes Turkish cuisine truly valuable is not merely the richness and diversity of its dishes. What matters most to us is sharing that richness. For us, the dining table is a circle where everyone sits at an equal distance from one another, a setting without hierarchy. Around that circle, people share 'bread and salt'. In Turkish, we have an expression known as 'the right of salt and bread'. It signifies the deep, almost sacred bond that is created when people share a meal together. In our culture, we do not ask a guest whether they are hungry. Regardless of whether they are hungry or full, they are invited to the table. For us, offering food is one of the most gracious ways of showing respect and appreciation for another person. That is why we are inviting you this evening to have a glimpse of Türkiye’s long-standing dining culture. Every dish you will see on your table this evening actually tells the story of a region, a season, a tradition, and a collective memory."
"Turkish coffee is a symbol of a concept of friendship that unfolds over time"
Emphasising that cuisine is one of the most direct, sincere, and lasting forms of "soft power", Head of Communications Duran said, "For this reason, many countries around the world today place the concept of gastrodiplomacy at the centre of their promotional strategies. Examples ranging from Thailand to South Korea, from Peru to Italy, show that cuisine has become an important determinant of a country’s image and international perception. Türkiye’s heritage in this field, however, offers a wealth that is hard to match."
Reminding that Gaziantep, Hatay, and Afyonkarahisar from Türkiye were included in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy, Head of Communications Duran went on to say:
"Gaziantep, with Antep baklava, has become one of the first Turkish products to receive a geographical indication from the European Union. Of course, Anatolia’s wealth in terms of culinary culture is not limited to these three cities alone. Turkish coffee’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list is another reflection of this wealth. Turkish coffee is a symbol of a culture of conversation, a tradition of hospitality, and a concept of friendship that unfolds over time. Indeed, to describe the lifelong friendship built around coffee, we say, 'A cup of coffee is remembered for forty years.'"
"Turkish Cuisine Week has increased the visibility of Turkish cuisine"
Emphasising that the Directorate of Communications regards gastrodiplomacy as one of the important elements of cultural diplomacy and of building bonds between countries and societies, Head of Communications Duran continued as follows:
"Our Directorate of Communications works in coordination with relevant institutions to define Türkiye's gastrodiplomacy strategy. This vision has recently turned into a concrete programme under the title 'Türkiye’s Gastrodiplomacy Model: The Heritage Table'. Certainly, we cannot fail to mention the leadership and patronage of Her Excellency First Lady Emine Erdoğan in Türkiye’s efforts in gastrodiplomacy and the promotion of its culinary culture. The Turkish Cuisine Week, celebrated since 2022 under the patronage of Her Excellency Emine Erdoğan, has significantly increased the international visibility of Turkish cuisine. The book titled 'Turkish Cuisine with Timeless Recipes' is also one of the most valuable products of this vision. In this book, prepared with the contributions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 218 recipes have been recorded in their original form. Thanks to these initiatives, Turkish cuisine is being presented to the global public alongside universal values such as healthy eating, sustainability, the prevention of food waste, zero waste, the protection of local production, and the passing on of cultural heritage to future generations."
Head of Communications Duran expressed his hope that the table setup would contribute to friendship, mutual understanding, and the opportunity to get to know Türkiye more closely and thanked the foreign press members for their participation, wishing them success in the work within the framework of the summit.
In addition, Head of Communications Duran shared a post on his NSosyal account regarding the reception at which they met members of the international press.
In his post, Head of Communications Duran stated:
Today, we have met with members of the national and international press, hosted by our Directorate of Communications in Ankara on the occasion of the NATO Leaders Summit.
Türkiye is a steadfast and strong member of NATO with its geopolitical position, its means and its capabilities. As our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, emphasised: “Sharing a land border of over 1,800 kilometres with crisis regions, Türkiye, with its powerful military and advanced defence industry, has been at the forefront of allies contributing to NATO's security for over 70 years.”
Similarly, NATO is an integral part of Türkiye’s security architecture and deterrence.
The valued members of the press have a vital role in conveying such a critical Summit to the global public accurately, transparently, and completely. Because we know that relations among countries are shaped by official texts, summits, and diplomatic engagements. Closeness among societies, however, is often forged through experiences that are far more human and far more enduring.
I thank all members of the press for their participation and wish them success in their work at the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit.
