Colombia hosts first gastronomic event in Turkey

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Colombia held its first gastronomic event in Turkey on Thursday in the capital, Ankara.

In her speech, Milena Gomez Kopp, charge d’Affairs of the Colombian embassy, said the two countries were marking the 60th year of diplomatic relations, which had strengthened during the period.

She noted that the trade volume between the two countries had increased to around $2 billion and bilateral agreements were concluded in a number of sectors, including energy, tourism and agriculture following an official visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Colombia in 2015.

Turkey is the sixth biggest trade partner of Colombia, Gomez added.

She also underlined how bilateral ties had developed with the start of direct flights by Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to the capital Bogota in 2016, the opening of an office of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the opening of an office by Anadolu Agency, Turkey’s official news agency.

Turkey’s Former Beirut Ambassador Inan Ozyildiz also expressed his appreciation of the marking of the 60th year of diplomatic relations with Colombia, adding ties between Turkey and Colombia have "significantly" strengthened in many areas.

"The biggest lesson I learned here [Turkey] is this country’s treasure is not only its history, culture or civilization, but its hospitality," said Charlie Otero, the Colombian chef who prepared the dishes for the event.