Hydraulic ramp transport vehicle was provided to Podgorica Nursing Home in Podgorica, the capital city of Montenegro, for the sick and disabled by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
Continuing their works for the development of civilian infrastructure in Montenegro, TİKA delivered the hydraulic ramp transport vehicle needed by the Podgorica Nursing Home, which was opened in Podgorica in 2022.
Montenegro Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Admir Adroviç; Manager of Podgorica Nursing Home, Jelena Şofranac and TİKA’s Coordinator in Montenegro, Abdurrahman S. Toprak attended the delivery ceremony held in Podgorica Nursing Home.
Montenegro Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Adroviç, in his delivery ceremony speech, mentioned that Türkiye and TİKA greatly supported the development of Montenegro, thanked TİKA for their projects in every field through Montenegro and expressed his satisfaction with the delivery of the vehicle. Adroviç said, “I am certain that the successful cooperation built with TİKA will continue next period.”
TİKA’s Coordinator in Montenegro, Abdurrahman S. Toprak, in his speech, highlighted that they carried out the activities of Montenegro since 2007 and stated they brought more than 450 projects to life. Wishing that the first disabled vehicle of Podgorica Nursing Home will be well used, Toprak indicated that TİKA is ready to support the training of the staff and human resources working in the nursing home.
About Podgorica Nursing Home
With a 274-person capacity, Podgorica Nursing Home was opened in Podgorica, the capital city of Montenegro, in December 2022 with a formal ceremony.
Having 131 residents as of July 2023, the nursing home is preferred by people with geriatric, dementia, palliative care and psychogeriatrics.
Health screening carried out for people with albinism in the Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia, by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
Health screening was carried out for 35 people with albinism living in the Banaadir region and sunscreen, sunglasses and clothes were provided for them to protect from sun.
Albinism, a genetic disease where there is too little or no pigment in the skin, eye or hair, is taken as bad luck in some parts of Africa due to superstitions. Having a hard time taking part in social life, people with albinism fall behind in finding jobs and taking advantage of the opportunity to study.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Somalia, İbrahim Mete Yağlı; TİKA’s Coordinator in Somalia, İlhami Turus; Director of Mogadishu Municipality Public and Social Department, Mohamed Hassan Mahamud and Türkiye’s Counsellor for Religious Services, Ömer Faruk Arslan attended the meeting with people with albinism.
Expressing his pleasure because of TİKA’s support for people with albinism in his speech, Somalia Ambassador, Yağlı stated that they will always be there for the friendly and brotherly people of Somalia.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Somalia, Turus, mentioned that TİKA is carrying out projects from education to health, infrastructure to agriculture throughout the country and as part of the social responsibility projects, the support for disadvantaged groups has been implemented.
A memorial program was organised in Tutin, in the Sandzak region, in Serbia, as part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day Memorial Program.
The municipal July 15 Cultural Centre was renovated by TİKA. The cultural centre, used for various cultural activities, celebrations and memorial programs in Tutin, was provided with the needed equipment.
Following the work, a memorial program was organized in the cultural centre for the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.
A photography exhibition and video display, where the cruel background of the coup attempt and the national resistance were shown, was held as part of the event, which aimed to keep the public memory fresh about the night of July 15, 2016.
Consul General in Novi Pazar, Başar Başol and Mayor of Tutin Salih Hot attended the memorial program.
Consul General Başol, in his speech, mentioned that the memorial program organized in the cultural centre is essential for telling the cruel coup attempt effectively.
Mayor Hot started his speech by stating locals’ sorrow regarding the loss of dear martyrs on the anniversary of democracy victory, significant for the Turkish people.
Stating that the renovation and equipment of the cultural centre project have met a significant need of the Tutin Municipality, like the other projects of TİKA in the region, Hot thanked TİKA and the Turkish people for this treasured project.
The translated version of the book “Milletin Zaferi 15 Temmuz” was gifted to the attendees at the end of the program.
A photography exhibition was organized for the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day with the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
To create awareness for the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, a photography exhibition was organized in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon.
The exhibition, which was held in the Yaoundé Central Mosque courtyard by TİKA and featured photographs about the night of July 15, drew great attention.
At the end of the program, where the Quran was recited and prayers were made for the martyrs of July 15, food was served for the mosque community.
Built by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), July 15 Martyrs Playground was inaugurated with a ceremony in Palestine.
The unused area in Umm Al-Sharayet, the most crowded neighbourhood in Palestine, was transformed into a playground in which children can have a great time and socialize by TİKA in cooperation with Al-Bireh Municipality affiliated with Ramallah and al Bireh Governorate.
The only children’s playground in the neighbourhood, 500 square meters playground was inaugurated with the name of “July 15 Martyrs Playground”.
Türkiye’s Consul General in Jerusalem, Ahmet Rıza Demirer; Mayor of al- Bireh, Islam Tavil; TİKA’s Coordinator in Palestine, Orhan Aydın; President of Yunus Emre Institute in Palestine, Cengiz Eroğlu; and neighbourhood residents attended the opening ceremony.
The ceremony started with salutations and singing national anthems then continued with the speeches.
Türkiye’s Consul General in Jerusalem, Demirer stated in his speech, "Today, here, we memorialize both July 15 martyrs and Palestinian martyrs who sacrificed their own lives to liberate Palestine from occupation, our heroes who fought against imperialism and occupation. Fellow Turkish and Palestinian nations fight against the same imperialist forces. We will definitely succeed in this fight. Because we are right and on the side of justice.”
After the opening ceremony, the “July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day Photography Exhibition”, held in the playground, was visited by the attendants.
5 new technology hearing screening devices to be used in the newborn department were provided to 5 hospitals operating in Sindh province, Pakistan, by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
Carried out by TİKA, in the scope of the Maternal and Child Health Support Program (MCHSP), the screening devices were introduced to hundreds of healthcare professionals in more than ten different healthcare organizations on 13-14, June 2023. Theoretical and practical trainings in hearing screening were given by the experts from Türkiye.
Sindh Provincial Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary on Health, Muhammad Qasim Soomro; Vice Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Karachi, Oğuz Kozanlı; TİKA’s Coordinator in Karachi, Halil İbrahim Başaran; officials of the Koohi Goth Hospital, academicians, NGO representatives and healthcare providers attended the opening ceremony of the training program held by the cooperation of TİKA and Koohi Goth Women's Hospital.
Giving a speech at the ceremony, Parliamentary Secretary Soomro stated that the government of Sindh carried out plenty of projects in the healthcare sector and, among those projects, they are negotiating with TİKA for the children’s hospital, planned to be built in Sindh. Thanking Türkiye, particularizing TİKA for their projects in the health sector, Soomro said that the hearing screening devices provided by TİKA will contribute significantly to the early diagnosis of newborn hearing impairment in Pakistan.
Karachi Vice Consul General, Kozanlı drew attention in his speech to the fact that the projects held by TİKA will make a significant contribution to the relations between the two countries. Kozanlı reflected that the technology transfer project in the hearing screening field will be essential for the posterity of Pakistan.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Karachi, Başaran, mentioned that each of the projects TİKA conducted with their two offices in Pakistan contributed to the brotherly relationship between Türkiye and Pakistan and that they will continue to create more projects to strengthen this relationship.
After the speeches, the devices provided by TİKA were delivered to the officials of the Koohi Goth Hospital, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Al-Mustafa Hospital, and Alhidmat Hospital, where approximately 50 thousand births took place. Hearing screening devices facilitate the early diagnosis of the newborn’s hearing impairments.
Nearly 700 projects in 13 years
Development projects in the healthcare sector account for 80% of the nearly 700 development projects of TİKA in Pakistan since 2010. Particularly in the construction process and equipment requirements of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Hospital in Muzaffergarh, with training programs in healthcare in addition to providing operating rooms, mobile clinics, and medical equipment in numerous hospitals, TİKA continues to support the friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan in healthcare as well as other areas.
Prepared with the contribution of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the promotion and first premiere of the project “Mağusa Limanı Ağıtı 1916” (’’Famagusta Harbor Lament 1916’’) was made in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Telling the story of the Turkish soldiers, who were captured during the Gallipoli Campaigns in 1916 and taken to Cyprus, and the Turkish Cypriots who helped them to escape from the prison camp, and attributed to those heroes; the promotion and premiere of the documentary “Mağusa Limanı Ağıtı 1916” (’’Famagusta Harbor Lament 1916’’) was made by the Bayrak Radio and Television Cooperation (BRT), broadcasting in TRNC.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Nicosia, Prof. Dr Metin Feyzioğlu; Health Minister of TRNC, İzlem Gürçağ Altuğra; TİKA’s Coordinator in Nicosia, Havva Pınar Özcan Küçükçavuş and numerous guests attended the promotion program.
It was thought to be lamented for the Gallipoli Campaign captives at first
It was discovered that it was first lamented for the Gallipoli Campaign captives in 1916. Following the studies of music researcher and member of the legendary music group “Sıla 4”, Ferahzad Gürsoy, the lament was re-read with the new arrangement aligning with the original notes written in 1916. A documentary was also made using the photographs of the Gallipoli captives in the scope of the project.
The first version of the Mağusa Limanı Ağıtı (Famagusta Harbor Lament) in 1916 proved that despite the victory in the Gallipoli, it was lamented for one of the Turkish soldiers brought to Cyprus which was under the British control, named “Ali” and other Gallipoli Campaign captives. On the other hand, it was depicted in the film that the another version, known as “Arap Ali Ağıtı” (’’The Lament of Arab Ali’’), was adjusted for the docker Arab Ali in 1940s.
The importance of the Gallipoli Campaign for Turkish Cypriots was mentioned
Attending the program as a speaker, Gürsoy stated that the first version of the lament got forgotten in time and is no longer known. Another speaker at the program, academician and writer Prof. Dr Ulvi Keser gave information about the Turkish soldiers, captured by the British soldiers and brought to Cyprus and drew attention to the importance of the Gallipoli Campaign for the Turkish Cypriots.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Nicosia, Küçükçavuş mentioned that TİKA, who started to be active in TRNC in 2019, plans projects in a great deal of fields. Küçükçavuş stated that after the support given to the documentary “Gol Atan Cepheye” and the movie “Teşgilat Minalayalar Zamanı”, they are pleased to contribute to the project “Mağusa Limanı Ağıtı 1916” (“Famagusta Harbor Lament 1916”).
Saying “There is no future for the one not knowing their past”, Ambassador Feyzioğlu added, “Turkish people made history in world war one, they did not lose. They had to lay down arms because their allies surrendered. Turkish people made a magnificent history in Gallipoli Campaign and caused those empires, who deem those torments proper, to fall.”
Saying that the Turkish people made history in Anatolia, Ambassador Feyzioğlu stated that the Turkish Cypriots were a noble factor.
The Immigration, Expatriation and Genocide Symposium about the Srebrenica genocide was held in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
The Srebrenica genocide, which is considered the worst atrocity in Europe since World War II, remains an open wound for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina after 28 years.
The Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton, İrfan Halilagic; the Social Sciences University of Ankara Rector, Prof. Dr. Musa Kazım Arıcan; University of Tuzla Rector, Nermina Hadzigrahic; and plenty of academicians and researchers, who are experts in the fields, attended the Immigration, Expatriation and Genocide Symposium, which was held to tell and introduce the suffering to the world public opinion with the cooperation of TİKA, Social Sciences University of Ankara and University of Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After the opening and first-day sessions, the symposium came to an end on Saturday, July 8, 2023, with the second-day sessions at the University of Tuzla.
A tourism office was set up by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Paraguay’s Jesuit Mission Ruins district.
A Tourist Information and Craft Selling Office was set up by TİKA in the Jesuit Mission Ruins district, the only historical entity in Paraguay on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The commencement of the project was held with the attendance of Paraguay Tourism Minister, Sofía Montiel de Afara; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Asuncion, Serhat Aksen; TİKA officials and guests.
Paraguay Tourism Minister Afara emphasized that this historic district is very important for the country and mentioned that local and foreign visitors can get information and souvenirs from the tourist information center. Afara thanked Türkiye, Turkish Embassy in Asuncion and TİKA for their support.
Ambassador Aksen mentioned that Paraguay is a friend and a partner in Latin America and that they are trying to support it in various fields. Explaining that TİKA has carried out numerous projects, notably on education and health, to date, Aksen said that the scope was expanded with the project in the tourism field. Aksen quoted that he hopes that Türkiye and Paraguay continue to strengthen their relations in the fileds of tourism, crafts exhibition and selling.
10 thousand Turkish books were donated to be distributed to the National Library of Pakistan and the libraries of various universities in the country with support from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
As a part of the project carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TİKA, Professional Organization of Authors (Owners) of Intellectual and Artistic Works (İLESAM), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; around 10 thousand Turkish books were donated to be distributed to the National Library of Pakistan and the libraries of various universities in the country.
Prof. Mehmet Paçacı, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Islamabad; Mehmet Nuri Parmaksız, the Chairman of İLESAM; Muhsin Balcı, TİKA’s Coordinator in Islamabad; Muhammad Riaz, the Vice Director of the National Library of Pakistan; Shah Farrukh, the Head of The Allama Iqbal Open University Library; Muhammad Kamran, the Vice Director of Quaid-i-Azam University Library; and authorities from Turkish institutions and organizations in Pakistan attended the event held at the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad.
In his speech, Ambassador Paçacı referred to the historical and cultural relations between Türkiye and Pakistan, and stated that initiatives such as donating books will strengthen the relations.
Indicating that these books are investments in future generations, Paçacı said that Pakistanis will learn about the history, culture, and values of Türkiye and better understand the similarities between the two countries.
Turkish is spoken more in the world
The Chairman of İLESAM, Parmaksız, expressed that so far they have provided 150 thousand Turkish books to various countries with the donations made and said, "Books build the strongest bridges between countries."
Parmaksız noted that Turkish is now spoken and known more in the world and stated that as İLESAM, they contribute to this.
"Turkish series enhanced love for Turks"
Shah Farrukh, the Head of The Allama Iqbal Open University Library, also pointed out that when Turks learn Urdu and Pakistanis learn Turkish, knowledge and cultural values will be exchanged.
Remarking that many people in Pakistan started to like Turks more and more due to the Turkish series and films, Farrukh stressed that this situation provides a significant opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and values of Türkiye and that it needs to be considered.
Turkish departments will open in universities
TİKA’s Coordinator, Balcı, stated that with the book donations, the corner for Türkiye established by TİKA in the National Library of Pakistan will be expanded and Turkish sections will be opened in partner university libraries.
Balcı underlined that events promoting Türkiye will continue in Pakistan as a part of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of our Republic.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided a bone densitometer to the endocrinology department of the City General Hospital 8th September in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.
With the delivery of the machine to the hospital, the opening of the first osteoporosis center in the City General Hospital 8th September was also held.
Fatmir Mexhiti, the Minister of Health of North Macedonia; Muhammed Ünal, TİKA’s Head of Departments in the Balkans and Eastern Europe; Halim Ömer Söğüt, TİKA’s Coordinator in Skopje; and Prof. Dr. Hristijan Kostov, the Director of the City General Hospital 8th September, attended the event.
Minister Mexhiti, in his speech, thanked TİKA for the support provided and said, "By bringing the bone densitometer into service, the conditions in osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment will be improved. One of the biggest challenges we face in healthcare services is ensuring timely access to services for our patients. We will be able to deal directly with this challenge owing to this machine."
TİKA’s Head of Departments in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, Ünal, indicated that they have been operating in North Macedonia since 2005 and noted that 1200 projects and activities have been carried out so far.
Sharing that 30 of these projects were in the healthcare sector, Ünal said, "Today, we have gathered here for the delivery of the bone densitometer for our esteemed healthcare workers to use. We are happy to give this machine, which can be found only in some leading private hospitals, to a public institution, a public hospital."
Explaining that the center consists of a polyclinic with a bone densitometer necessary for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, the Director of the City General Hospital 8th September, Kostov said, "It is the first time since the hospital’s 50-year history that there has been an osteoporosis center, a diagnostic procedure to measure the density of the bone tissue."
Being one of the most important medical institutions in Skopje, the capital of the Republic of North Macedonia, and providing the whole country, especially the capital which has a population of 500 thousand, healthcare services with its 1200 healthcare workers, the City General Hospital 8th September’s endocrinology department offers about 4.000 patient healthcare services per year. The machine’s provision by TİKA will ensure the opening of the only osteoporosis center in the country and is expected to double the number of patients who will benefit from health services in this field.
The governmental institutions’ demand for bread will be satisfied through the modern bread factory established by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
The Bread Factory in Bishkek, which has the capacity of producing 20 thousand breads on a daily basis, was inspected with Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan; Emilbek Abdykadyrov, the Mayor of Bishkek; and Osman Usta, TİKA’s Coordinator in Bishkek.
Being informed about the bread production technology and management at the factory, Japarov demanded the factory’s current production capacity of 25-30% to be increased from Abdykadyrov, the Mayor of Bishkek.
Japarov stated that the products of the bread factory are of good quality and affordable, and gave the instruction that educational, medical, internal affairs organizations and other governmental institutions would purchase bread from this factory.
The opening of Bishkek Bread Factory established by TİKA in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, in 2015 had been made by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan through a teleconference system in which he participated from Ankara.
