U.S. Assistance to Wildfires in Turkey

By Ambassador David M. Satterfield August 8, 2021 U.S. Ally and NATO member Turkey answered our call for help with personal protective equipment early in the fight against COVID-19. Now, we are proud to return the gesture by responding to Turkey’s request and supporting Turkey’s wildfire suppression efforts. Through the U.S. European Command and in …

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Ambassador David M. Satterfield’s Video Message on the Occasion of 2021 Independence Day

Ambassador David M. Satterfield: “I am delighted to welcome you to our virtual celebration of the 245th anniversary of American independence – the Fourth of July, 2021. As has so often been the case over the last year and a half, the effects of the global pandemic have once again prevented our traditional in-person celebrations. …

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America’s Independence Day and Our Commitment to Equality

By Ambassador David M. Satterfield July 2, 2021 On the Fourth of July, the United States of America celebrates the 245th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. The enduring power and influence of the Declaration derives from its core premise, the self-evident truths “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their …

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Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad Travel to Turkey

Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad visited Turkey March 26-29 to discuss with Turkish counterparts the upcoming Istanbul international conference on the Afghanistan peace process.  Building on recent international gatherings in support of the peace process, the Istanbul conference is meant to help Afghan negotiators accelerate their efforts to end the war in Afghanistan …

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Ambassador Satterfield’s Remarks on the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to Protect Turkish Cultural Property

In a ceremony at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara on January 19, 2021, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield and Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, signed an agreement to prevent the trafficking of Turkish archeological and ethnological materials.

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Ambassador Satterfield’s Statement on International Human Rights Day

December 10, 2020 Today, the United States Mission to Turkey commemorates International Human Rights Day and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. The Declaration states that all individuals are born with inalienable rights, including freedoms of thought, religion or belief, expression, peaceful assembly, and association. …

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America’s Enduring Democracy

By Ambassador David Satterfield 27 October 2020 On or before November 3, many millions of U.S. citizens will vote – in person, by mail and by e-mail – in our country’s Presidential election.  As of this week, over 20 million ballots already have been cast, an unprecedented early voting turnout. For 230 years, ever since George Washington was elected in 1789, U.S. democracy has been a …

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Ambassador Satterfield’s Message to American Citizens Voting in Turkey

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield’s video-message to American citizens voting in Turkey: “Voting is a fundamental right and important civic responsibility for U.S. citizens. As we look ahead to this November’s elections in the United States, American citizens in Turkey should know that casting an absentee ballot is easier than ever. Most U.S. citizens …

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Ambassador David M. Satterfield’s Video Message on the Occasion of 2020 Independence Day

Ambassador Satterfield: “July 4th, Independence Day in the United States of America, is traditionally a day of family and community festivities.” … “This year the United States, Turkey, and the world face unprecedented challenges. But it is exactly at times like this that the United States and Turkey have stood together to face difficult challenges …

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Ambassador Satterfield visited Anitkabir

New U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, David M. Satterfield, visited Anitkabir on September 4, 2019. He paid his respects and laid a wreath at the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Members of the U.S. Embassy community, both U.S. diplomats and Turkish colleagues, were honored to join Ambassador Satterfield at Anitkabir on his first official visit. Ambassador Satterfield signed the …

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Ambassador John R. Bass Press Round Table – Diplomatic Correspondents Association (October 11, 2017)

Ankara, Turkey October 11, 2017 Ambassador Bass:  I’m very pleased to see all of you here this morning, and I’m pleased to have an opportunity to see members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association for one last time before I complete my assignment as the U.S. Ambassador in Turkey.  And with a lot of regret and …

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Ambassador John Bass’ Statement On The Suspension Of Visa Services In Turkey

October 9, 2017 Good afternoon. I want to convey to our Turkish friends and partners the reasons for the U.S. government’s decision to suspend non-immigrant visa services at our embassy and consulates in Turkey, and to explain what this suspension means. In the Embassy’s statement yesterday, we said we were suspending non-immigrant visa services.  The suspension …

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Consulate Adana Hosts Independence Day Reception

U.S. Consulate Adana hosted the 241st anniversary of U.S. Independence with a reception at Adana Hilton Hotel on July 13, 2017. U.S. Ambassador John Bass and his spouse Holly Holzer-Bass hosted the event, together with U.S. Consul Adana Linda Stuart Specht. Guests from government, business, media, education and civil society, as well as American citizens …

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Ambassador Bass’ Remarks at U.S. Consulate Adana’s Independence Day Reception

U.S. Ambassador John Bass Remarks During an Independence Day Celebration Hilton Hotel Adana, Turkey July 13, 2017 [As delivered] [Sayın Vali, Sayın Belediye Başkanı,] Değerli Konuklar, Hanımefendiler, Beyefendiler, hoşgeldiniz. Thank you all very much for joining us this evening to celebrate the 241st anniversary of our independence. Let me first express our deep appreciation to …

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Ambassador John Bass’ Comments to the Press During an Independence Day Celebration

U.S. Ambassador John Bass Comments to the Press During an Independence Day Celebration U.S. Ambassador’s Residence Ankara, Turkey – July 7, 2017  [Verbatim transcript]  Ambassador Bass: Arkadaşlar – iyi akşamlar, hoş geldiniz. Very good to have all you here again tonight. So, I just – I know you’re all working, so I wanted to take a …

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Ambassador Bass’ Remarks During an Independence Day Celebration

U.S. Ambassador John Bass Remarks During an Independence Day Celebration U.S. Ambassador’s Residence Ankara, Turkey July 7, 2017 [As delivered] Sayın Bakan, Sayın Komutanlar, Değerli Konuklar, Hanımefendiler, Beyefendiler, hoşgeldiniz. Thank you all very much for joining us this evening to celebrate the 241st anniversary of our independence. Marines – present the colors. [National anthems are …

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Remarks by Ambassador Bass with Consul General Davis at Independence Day Celebrations in Istanbul

On July 6, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul hosted the Fourth of July Reception at Fairmont Quasar Hotel to mark the 241st anniversary of Declaration of Independence this year. Speeches: Consul General Davis: Merhaba. İyi akşamlar misafirlerimiz ve arkadaşlarımız. Hoşgeldiniz. It is a great honor for us to have you all here tonight as …

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Ambassador John Bass’ Interview with NTV’s Ahmet Yeşiltepe

NTV Studios, Ankara | December 22, 2016  [Introduction in Turkish] Question: Mister Ambassador, thank you very much for this opportunity. Turkey is going through terrible times, actually. Your assessments are very valuable for us to understand the current situation. First of all, I would like to start with the assassination of the Russian ambassador. What do you …

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Ambassador John Bass’ Letter of December 8 to Sabah Newspaper regarding Ersin Ramoğlu’s December 6, 2016 column

Mr. Erdal Safak Editor-in-Chief Sabah Newspaper Istanbul, Turkey December 8, 2016 Dear Mr. Safak: As someone who strongly believes in a strong U.S.-Turkey relationship and in the universal value of freedom of the press, I was dismayed to read the column entitled “İçimizdeki Truva Atı: İncirlik” published by your newspaper on December 6, 2016.  Columnist …

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Elimination of Violence Against Women

In recognition of the 16 Days of Activism, on International Human Rights Day December 10, the State Department will highlight on social media the ways in which the United States and others have worked to confront this crime—in its many forms—and call on others to join us in ensuring this vital work continues. The United …

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Ambassador John Bass is hosting students to watch the U.S. Presidential Elections

The vote today (November 8, 2016) is the 58th U.S. presidential election. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass is watching the elections with academics, alumni from the YES program, and other invited guests at his residence in Ankara. The YES (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study) program is a fully-funded exchange program for high school students …

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Ambassador Bass Visited The Resettlement Support Center in Turkey

September 23, 2016 | Istanbul US Ambassador John Bass and Holly Holzer Bass visited the Resettlement Support Center (“RSC”) in Turkey where refugees who are referred to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (“USRAP”) have their cases screened and then adjudicated for resettlement by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). Once they are found eligible …

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Ambassador Bass Visits RandD Centers in Istanbul and Kocaeli

On April 19th, Ambassador Bass visited three cutting-edge R&D centers in Istanbul and Kocaeli that showcased U.S.-Turkey cooperation. GE’s Aviation Center and Applied Materials lab showed us what the future of engine manufacturing might look like. Ford Otosan showed off their EcoTorq fuel-efficient line of diesel engines that they’ve developed in-house for Ford’s entire global …

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Ambassador John Bass’ Remarks at Independence Day Reception in Istanbul – July 20, 2016

Sayın Vali, Sayın İstanbul Belediye Başkanı, Sayın İlçe Belediye Başkanı, Değerli Konuklar, Hanımefendiler ve Beyefendiler, İyi akşamlar.  Hoşgeldiniz. I want to thank all of you tonight for joining us to mark the 240th anniversary of our independence. Let me first express deep appreciation to our sponsors for their support and their flexibility in supporting this …

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Ambassador John Bass’ Speech At the 240th Independence Day Reception

“It has been a difficult, painful year since Holly Hanım and I hosted many of you last year at this event. Both of our societies have suffered pain and loss at the hands of terrorists. We feel the losses here in Turkey deeply, and we again extend our deep condolences to everyone here and across …

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Ambassador John Bass’s statement regarding the terror attack in Istanbul – June 7, 2016

John Bass, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey | June 7, 2016 Deeply saddened by the barbarous terror attack in Istanbul. Such senseless violence could never be rationalized by any cause. We wish speedy recovery to the injured and extend condolences to the family & friends of those who lost their lives. We condemn this heinous attack, …

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Bass’s January 13 interview with Sabah newspaper – January 15, 2016

Published Janurary 15, 2016 Okan Müderrisoğlu:  (In Turkish) Thank you very much, sir, for giving us the opportunity for a second interview. Taking into consideration the limited time we have, I would like to start with questions right away. My colleague Mr. Unal will join with follow-up questions. Ambassador Bass: Of course. Okan Müderrisoğlu: (In …

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Roundtable with Diplomatic Correspondents Association (DMD) – April 7, 2016

April 7, 2016 – 10:45 A.M. | Holiday Inn Hotel, Ankara   Ambassador Bass:  Çok teşekkürler. Arkadaşlar — hoşgeldiniz, merhabalar.  I’m really pleased to be here, as I always am when I get an opportunity to talk to and interact with members of your profession. I think you all know how strongly we feel about …

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Ambassador John Bass Delivers Remarks at the Regional Environmental Center/TUSIAD Post Paris Analysis Event

Ambassador John Bass delivered remarks at the Regional Environmental Center/TUSIAD Post Paris Analysis Event at the Tekfen Tower Conference Hall in Istanbul on February 22. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, this event brought together business leaders, NGOs, and academic representatives to discuss climate change and the COP21 Paris Agreement. Ambassador Bass highlighted U.S. …

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Ambassador Bass’s interview with Sabah newspaper

January 15, 2016 Okan Müderrisoğlu:  (In Turkish) Thank you very much, sir, for giving us the opportunity for a second interview. Taking into consideration the limited time we have, I would like to start with questions right away. My colleague Mr. Unal will join with follow-up questions. Ambassador Bass: Of course. Okan Müderrisoğlu: (In Turkish) …

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65th anniversary of the Turkey Fulbright Commission

On January 13, Ambassador Bass hosted a reception attended by over 160 guests from all over Turkey to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the U.S.-Turkey Fulbright Commission.  In his remarks to the assembled Turkish officials, Fulbright alumni, staff, grantees, and guests, Ambassador Bass highlighted the invaluable contributions that Fulbright educational exchanges have made towards “opening …

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Celebrating the Fourth of July in Istanbul

On June 1, we hosted the Fourth of July Reception at the U.S. Consulate Istinye building to mark the 239th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year. The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass and Holly Holzer Bass with Consul General Charles F. Hunter and Ramadan Çaysever welcomed guests before the official ceremony. The …

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Remarks by Ambassador Bass at the Atlantic Council Summit in Istanbul

November 21, 2014 Orhan Taner, the Director of Atlantic Council, Energy and Economy Summit:  Ambassador floor is yours Ambassador John Bass: (Turkish) Çok Teşekkürler Orhan Bey , Mr. President, Sayın Bakanım, Mr. Secretary, Ministers  Hanımefendiler ve Beyefendiler, Good morning. I am delighted to be here on behalf of the United States Embassy here in Turkey, to …

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