Türkiye opens honorary consulate in Netherlands’ Amersfoort

Türkiye’s new honorary consulate in Amersfoort was officially opened in a ceremony coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Türkiye-Netherlands Friendship Agreement.

The event, delayed due to a previous accident involving the new honorary consul, was a symbolic moment of diplomatic and economic significance for both countries.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Turkish Ambassador to The Hague Selcuk Unal and the Consul General of Amsterdam Mahmut Burak Ersoy. During the event, Ambassador Unal presented the Turkish flag and official documents to Titus Kramer, who officially took on his role as Türkiye’s honorary consul in Amersfoort.

Symbolic opening delayed due to accident

Türkiye’s Embassy in The Hague noted in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the honorary consulate was initially planned to open on Aug. 16, 2024, to coincide with the centenary of the Friendship Agreement.

Türkiye-Hollanda Dostluk Antlaşması’nın imzalanmasının 100. yıldönümü olan 16 Ağustos 2024 tarihinde faaliyete geçmesi planlanan, ancak Fahri Başkonsolosumuzun geçirdiği bir kaza nedeniyle ertelenen sembolik açılış bugün yapılmıştır. pic.twitter.com/ZXF5pfOA0Z

— Türkiye in The Netherlands (@TC_LaheyBE) October 4, 2024

However, the opening was delayed due to an accident involving Honorary Consul Kramer. “The symbolic opening has now taken place, and Mr. Titus Kramer has officially started his duties,” the statement read.

Following the ceremony, the delegation visited the newly opened consulate building.

Strengthening bilateral relations

The honorary consulate in Amersfoort aims to enhance economic, commercial and cultural ties between Türkiye and the Netherlands. This step is seen as significant in boosting cooperation, particularly within the Turkish business community in the Netherlands.

This year marks two important anniversaries in Türkiye-Netherlands relations: the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Labor Agreement signed on Aug. 19, and the 100th anniversary of the Friendship Agreement signed on Aug. 16, 1924.