Turkey-New Zealand Political Relations

Turkey and New Zealand enjoy a very special relationship which was founded on the historical encounter in Çanakkale in 1915. Following the end of the First World War, Turkey and New Zealand, former enemies of the First World War, very young independent states of the time, became very close friends. This friendship was reinforced with the famous words of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, dedicated to fallen brave soldiers of New Zealand in 1930’s.There are few countries today whose relations are motivated mostly by the mutual affection and sincere feelings of their people. Turkey and New Zealand is an excellent example of this.

Turkey and New Zealand also share a common vision for democracy, peace, stability and prosperity in their regions and in the world. They both help secure a peaceful, stable and prosperous regional and international environment.

Cultural, economic and commercial relations between Turkey and New Zealand have been expanding significantly based on this very solid ground, particularly in recent years. Thousands of New Zealanders visit Turkey every year; number of the reciprocal high level visits is increasing; New Zealand Wing of the Parliamentary Friendship Group was recently established; number of Turkish students attending universities in New Zealand is increasing; both countries will closely work together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Çanakkale Wars in 2015.

Turkey is determined to intensify its efforts to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with New Zealand in every possible field, with a particular focus on people to people contact as well as on economic and commercial areas.

Commercial and Economic Relations

The economic relations between Turkey and New Zealand have been developing steadily in line with export-oriented economic policies that both countries have adopted in recent decades. The bilateral trade volume reached 154 million US Dollars in 2014 from 35 million US Dollars in 2000.

Turkey’s exports to New Zealand were around72 million US Dollars, while its imports were approximately82 million US Dollars in 2014.

Turkish exports merchandise to New Zealand are mainly composed of motor vehicles and spare parts, dried fruits and vegetables, processed food, textiles, white goods and electrical household appliances. Turkey mainly imports wool, butter, hides and skins from New Zealand.

Turkey and New Zealand decided to establish a mechanism for strengthening their economic and trade relations late 1980’s. Following that decision “Joint Economic Commission” (JEC) was established in 1990. Since its establishment several JEC meetings have been held to discuss a wide range of economic issues, including ways and means to increase commercial transactions. The 9th JEC meeting was held in Ankara from 28 to 29 May 2012 under the co-chairmanship of former Minister of Education of Turkey, H.E. Mr. Ömer Dinçer and Trade Minister of New Zealand, H.E. Mr. Tim Groser.

As two countries are committed to enhance the legal framework for more advantageous economic relations, “Avoidance of Double Taxation” and “Air Services” agreements were signed during the high level visits from New Zealand to Turkey in the first half of 2010.

Tourism has a constructive social role in strengthening bilateral relations as it promotes cultural and social understanding and interaction between peoples of both countries. In 2013, approximately31 thousand New Zealanders visited Turkey.

Furthermore, “Agreement on the Working Holiday Scheme” which would contribute to people to people contacts, was signed during the visit of the Right Honorable John Key to Turkey in April 2010.

High Level Visits

Head of State

H.E. the Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves (April 1990)

H.E. Mr. Turgut Özal (5-8 August 1991)

H.E. the Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys (21-28 April 1998)

H.E. the Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright (21 April-1 May 2003)

H.E. the Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand (22 – 28 April 2009)

H.E. the Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae (20-26April 2014)

Prime Minister

The Right Honorable Helen Clark (20-26 April 2000)

The Right Honorable Helen Clark (23-27 April 2005)

H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (3-7 December 2005)

The Right Honorable John Key (22-25 April 2010)

Speaker of the Parliament

-H.E. Lockwood Smith (3-5 October 2010)

Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Mr. Vahit Halefoğlu (28-30 Nisan 1985)

Hon. Mr. Don McKinnon (12-15 September 1992)

H.E. Mr. Hikmet Çetin (27 February-2 March 1994)

Hon. Mr. Donald Charles McKinnon (16-19 April 1995)

Hon. Mr. Phil Goff (23-25 April 2001)

Hon. Mr. Winston Peters (24 – 28 April 2007)

Hon. Mr. Winston Peters (22 – 29 April 2008)

Hon. Mr. Murray McCully (3-5 March 2010)

Hon. Mr. Murray McCully (24-25 April 2011)

Hon Mr Murray McCully (7-8 March 2013)

Hon Mr Murray McCully (19-20 Haziran2014)

Bilateral Agreements

20 Kasım 1933- Convention Between Regarding Lergal Proceedings in Civil and Commercial Matter

5 June 1958 – The Exchange of Notes Concerning the Facilitation of Travel

26 April 1990 - Memorandum of Understanding on the Technical, Scientific and Economic Cooperation in the Fields of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery.

17 July 1990 - Exchange of Notes on Establishment of the Joint Economic Commission.

August 1993 - Convention between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the

Ministry of Forestry and Lincoln University on Technical Training of Experts.

April 1998 - Protocol on Cooperation between Bilkent University and Wellington Victoria University.

20 October 2000 - Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on the Establishment of Regular Political Consultation Mechanisms.

12 March 2008 – Education Cooperation Arrangement between the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Education of New Zealand.

24 June 2008 – Arrangement between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of New Zealand, New Zealand Food Safety Authority on Cooperation in the Field of Sanitary Matters.

4 March 2010- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the

Government of New Zealand Relating to Air Services.

22 April 2010 – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of New Zealand for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income.

23 April 2010- Agreement on a Working Holiday Scheme between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of New Zealand.