Let me introduce myself. I am Richard Moore and I am the new British Ambassador to Turkey. Let me explain why it is my dream job!
I feel fantastically pleased and honoured to be here. Turkey has a very special place in my heart. I arrived here the first time in 1990 as a young man of 26 years of age with my glamorous wife (she asked me to say that!) and our 6 month old baby. After a year in Ankara, my job was transferred to Istanbul and there we were joined in 1992 by our daughter. So, for my wife and me, family life started in Turkey (and we are very proud to have an Istanbullu in our family!).
I also served my professional apprenticeship here and have vivid memories of that time. President Ozal had started Turkey on the path to integration with the global economy. It was the time of the fall of the Soviet Union. Opportunities opened up for Turkey to re-embrace its Turkic brothers to the East. But that time also saw tension and danger whether the traumas of Bulgarian citizens of Turkish origin (one of my staff came to Turkey as one of those refugees as a three year old) or the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. And, in August 1990, Saddam invaded Kuwait.
More hopefully we commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign. Mrs Thatcher, the Iron Lady herself, attended. But, more importantly, so did many Turkish, British and ANZAC veterans. I was lucky enough to escort the British veterans – the youngest was 93! It was an emotional and enlightening experience. And it brought home to me how old enemies can, through the power of generosity and reconciliation, become firm friends.
And the UK and Turkey are close friends and allies. We have been NATO allies for over 60 years. It is worth remembering what that means. British troops would spill blood to protect Turkey and vice versa. They have stood shoulder to shoulder from Korea to Afghanistan. Turkey and the UK work closely together today on all the world’s problems – Syria, Somalia and terrorism being just a few examples.
And we have done more to promote the interests of Turkey in the EU than any other country. I share the frustration of many Turks that we have not moved the Accession process on further and faster. I was born in 1963 when Turkey became an Associate Member! But we will keep fighting for this cause. Turkey in the EU would be good for Turkey, Britain and the EU. And the Accession process strengthens the cause of democratic reform in all candidate countries. It’s simple. You cannot join unless you accept and implement democratic norms and pluralism. It’s the EU Commission’s job to make sure you do. We all understand the rules of the game.
I want to do more to promote people to people relations between Turkey and Britain. I don’t think the UK and British people are always very well understood in Turkey. There are still too many Turks who view the UK through the prism of Sevres and Sykes-Picot. We should not deny our history but we need to live in 2014, not 1914.
Britain in 2014 is one of the most tolerant and culturally diverse countries in the world with one of the most open economies. Did you know that 50% of all the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) entering the EU goes to the UK? After a difficult few years following the global economic crisis, our economy is picking up and we are now the fastest growing of the advanced economies. I spent a couple of days last year with Beko to learn how they have achieved their success in the UK market. Over 2400 British companies now operate in Turkey. I want to see more Turkish companies invest in the UK and partner with UK companies in exporting to third markets.
We remain one of the top destinations for young Turks wanting to educate themselves overseas. We have four of the world’s top ten universities. We invented the English language for goodness’ sake and we’re closer than the United States! Let’s be having more of you.
And don’t be put off by wild talk about visas. We do make occasional mistakes and these make a huge media splash. But they don’t represent the true picture. Over 90% of visa applications to the UK by Turks are successful. Biometrics means putting your fingers onto a glass plate. I do this every time I go to the US .It makes it easier to give you a visa because we know it is you. I sat in on two visa interviews the other day – both successful. One gentleman was going to watch the Galatasaray-Chelsea match. The other was looking to set up a small business in the UK in the city where he had taken his Master’s degree.
Turkey has changed massively since 1990. But some things have not. My wife and I love the warmth and hospitality of Turkish people. Can you have more fun anywhere than you can have dancing at a Turkish wedding? We love your food and the beauty of your country. I love speaking your language. Compared with Turkish people, British people may seem a bit reserved on first meeting. But don’t take this for coldness; we make warm and loyal friends. I look forward to proving this in person when I meet you!