A Meaningful Opening Strengthens Türkiye-Ecuador Friendship

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) renovated the Diplomatic Academy building of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Ecuador.

The building, notable for its neo-colonial architecture and built in the 1940s, was once the residence of Galo Plaza Lasso, a former president of Ecuador, and was later converted into a diplomatic training center. As part of the project carried out by TİKA, the academy’s historic building was renovated. The interior spaces, previously used by Ecuadorian diplomats as auditoriums, libraries and classrooms, were completely refurbished and made available to the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The historic building, which served as the residence of Galo Plaza Lasso, the President of Ecuador, when diplomatic relations were established in 1950, was re-inaugurated in a ceremony attended by M. Başak Yalçın, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Quito and Gabriela Sommerfeld, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador.

The project’s opening ceremony was the first in a series of celebratory events planned in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the opening, Ambassador Alejandro Suárez, Director of the Ecuadorian Diplomatic Academy, stated that this renovation, carried out with the support of TİKA, symbolizes the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Suárez thanked the Turkish government, the Turkish Embassy in Quito and TİKA, emphasizing that the renovated space will make a significant contribution to the training of young diplomats.

“A gift from Turkish diplomacy to Ecuadorian diplomacy”

Speaking at the ceremony, Turkish Ambassador to Quito M. Başak Yalçın expressed her honor at celebrating such a meaningful anniversary in this historic building, the year diplomatic relations were established in 1950. She emphasized that this project, implemented with TİKA’s world-renowned technical expertise and generous financial contribution, is not only a development cooperation initiative but also a gift from Turkish diplomacy to the Ecuadorian diplomatic community.

Ambassador Yalçın also highlighted the cultural and diplomatic significance of the 75^th-anniversary commemorative hand-painted İznik tile plaque placed on the building’s façade, as well as the tile works featuring çintemani and lalezar motifs displayed in the main hall, presented to the academy by TİKA as a reflection of Turkish culture.

In her speech, Yalçın further stated that the Diplomacy Academies Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2022, will be advanced through an online training program to be held in October for young diplomats from both countries.

“The heart of the academy has been renewed, and our relations are deepening”

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld expressed her great pleasure in celebrating the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Türkiye in such a meaningful way. Describing the Diplomatic Academy as the heart of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sommerfeld noted that young diplomats will benefit from these new spaces and expressed her gratitude to TİKA and the Turkish government.

Following the ceremony, Minister Sommerfeld and the Ambassador toured the renovated areas. Sommerfeld, noting that she was familiar with the building’s previous condition, stated that the extensive renovations have completely transformed the Diplomatic Academy’s appearance, and that not only new diplomats but also various departments across the Ministry will benefit from these modern spaces.

Cultural and institutional impact

Thanks to the restoration work carried out as part of the project, the Diplomatic Academy has not only been physically renovated but also created a platform for cultural interaction, featuring works of Turkish handicrafts such as İznik tiles.

Turkish coffee and traditional sweets were served to guests at a reception following the opening. Additionally, souvenir envelopes bearing the logo, specially printed by PTT to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of Türkiye-Ecuador diplomatic relations, were launched and distributed to attendees.