Delegates at the event (Photo: baoquocte.vn) This is the first Honorary Consulate Office of Vietnam in Turkey after Mr. Ali Tezolmez was officially appointed as Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Istanbul. Mr. Ali Tezolmez, 55, is a successful businessman in many fields. He has a lot of experience in leading and managing businesses and associations in both Turkey and Vietnam, as former Chairman of the Turkey – Vietnam Trade Council, CEO of Solagron INC Company in Istanbul, Turkey since 2019, and Co-owner and Director of TEKPA INC Company in Istanbul from 2000 to 2016. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Turkey Tran Quang Tuyen emphasized that opening the honourable Consulate Office of Vietnam in Istanbul would favorably support Vietnamese citizen protection. Located in the T-junction of Europe, Asia and Middle East – Africa, Istanbul becomes an intersection of air routes, where many Vietnamese people are victims of human trafficking rings through Europe or stranded at Istanbul International Airport, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Opening the Honorary Consulate Office of Vietnam in Istanbul also shows that Vietnam-Turkey bilateral relations continue to be maintained and promoted after 43 years of development since officially established in 1978. Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer, Head of the Representative Agency of Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Istanbul, congratulated the first Honorary Consulate Office of Vietnam inaugurated in Turkey. With support the Vietnamese community in Istanbul, the Consulate Office will contribute to maintaining and developing the friendly relations between the two countries in the coming time. Mr. Ali Tezolmez expressed his honor to be appointed as the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Istanbul. He thanked the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Vietnam for supporting him during the process of appointing the Honorary Consul and establishment of the Consulate Office. He committed to make efforts in carrying out the functions and tasks of the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Istanbul. The implementation of citizen protection, supporting the Vietnamese community in the local country, boosting to introduce and promote the country and people of Vietnam in Istanbul city in particular and Turkey in general, will contribute to promoting the bilateral relations between the two countries. At the event, Ambassador Tuyen presented Honorary Consular Credentials signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son to Mr. Ali Tezolmez, appointing him as Honorary Consul of Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Istanbul, Turkey./.