Your Excellency, what are your thoughts about Bahrain and its lifestyle? Like Türkiye, Bahrain is historically a multi-national, multireligious country that has a rich mosaic of cultural diversity and encourages the value of tolerance in Bahrain and in the international fora as well. Being a female ambassador in Bahrain, I would also like to emphasise and praise the Kingdom’s accomplishments on women’s rights. I believe Bahrain is an excellent model, especially for the wider region. How would you describe the current state of bilateral relations between Türkiye and Bahrain? On April 12 this year, we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Bahrain. Over the past 50 years, the relationship between our two countries has been significantly improved not only in the political field but also in the fields of trade, investment, health, defence, education, tourism and culture. I sincerely believe that the Türkiye-Bahrain relationship will continue to thrive over the next 50 years and beyond. What are the current trade figures between the two nations? According to the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute, our trade volume in 2022 reached USD883.8m, with a 66 percent increase being a new record. Türkiye’s exports to Bahrain in 2022 were USD215m, and the value of imports was recorded as USD669.1m. How does Türkiye collaborate with the Bahraini government and community? In the field of education, we have a strong cooperation. The presence of Turkish academicians in respected Bahraini universities, the excellent works of the Turkish Language Centre, the Yunus Emre Institute in the University of Bahrain, the Türkiye Scholarships awarded to Bahraini students and the high interest of Bahraini youth in Turkish universities all combine to create an outstanding relationship. The establishment of the Oncology Centre in the King Hamad University Hospital and the increasing number of Bahraini citizens who choose Türkiye to have medical treatment are promising aspects of bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector. As the Embassy, we support the connection between Turkish and Bahraini youngsters. For instance, for two years we have facilitated a youth exchange programme, Unlimited Youth, between Denizli Youth Centre and the Good Word Society. October 29 officially marks 100 years since the declaration of the Republic of Türkiye. To commemorate the occasion, Bahrain This Month spoke to Turkish Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Esin Çakıl, about her experiences in the Kingdom so far and the current state of bilateral relations between the two countries. 16 October 2023 Bahrainthismonth.com interview
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