From the Minister

In line with the expanding vision of Turkish Foreign Policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also growing rapidly. The number of foreign missions which was 134 in early nineties has reached 235 by 2016. With this number Turkey has become the 8th country having largest network of foreign missions. In parallel with the increase of diplomatic missions and expansion of work load, a new law on the Organization and Institutional Structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was adopted in 2010 allowing the increase of the number of political officials and introducing new career paths. The number of political officials which was 1106 in early nineties has reached 1854 by 2016.

In the light of Turkey’s dynamic foreign policy and recent initiatives towards new regions, it is necessary to train and make available a large pool of human resources who bear the required qualifications in order to best fulfill the assignments to be undertaken both at headquarters and missions abroad.

In the current international environment of fast global and regional transformation, training confident diplomats who can make wise evaluations and decisions, produce effective solutions to problems, properly implement policies and have good competency over foreign languages constitutes the cornerstone of a strong foreign policy. With this perspective, Diplomacy Academy has a critical role within the Ministry.

In accordance with the new law on the Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Diplomacy Academy has started to carry out more comprehensive training programs for a larger number of attendees.

Diplomacy Academy offers comprehensive and multi-dimensional training programs for the newly-recruited members of the Ministry. Furthermore, the Academy organizes in-service training programs and creates opportunities for post graduate education in Turkey and abroad for the Ministry officials in different steps of their careers. 

With an aim to enhance professional qualities of its members, participation in language programs other than English and French is also encouraged by the Ministry.

the Academy has gradually enhanced its capacity to offer trainings for various personnel of the Ministry ranging from newly recruited officers, and headquarters officers to heads of missions and overseas contracted staff.
Diplomacy Academy also offers training programs for foreign diplomats. 1474 diplomats from 130 countries had the opportunity to attend various training programs in Turkey over the past ten years.

Academics and senior officials of the Ministry contribute devotedly with their expertise, experience and deep knowledge to these programs.

I wish to express my profound appreciation to Diplomacy Academy for their invaluable services to the Ministry and its diplomats.

Cihad Erginay

Ambassador
Deputy Undersecretary (Administrative and Financial Affairs)