Good evening distinguished guests

Good evening dear friends,

It is a pleasure to join you at this beautiful event organized by Turkish Airlines — an
airline that is not just Turkish national flag carrier, but also a global
bridge builder connecting different parts of the World via Türkiye.

First, allow me to speak about the rich culture of Türkiye — a land of exceptional
diversity, deep history and boundless hospitality.

From the ancient streets of Istanbul to the fairy-tale landscapes of Cappadocia, Türkiye
offers a unique cultural tourism experience. Our cultural heritage — ancient
Ionian and Roman cities, Byzantine churches and Ottoman palaces and mosques —
reflects centuries of diverse civilization and the unique intersection of East
and West.

Beyond culture, Türkiye’s seaside tourism is world-renowned: the Turquoise Coast with
its crystal-clear Aegean and Mediterranean waters, hidden coves, and historic
ports. For those seeking mountain adventures, our country also boasts ski
tourism, with destinations such as Uludağ, Palandöken and Kartalkaya offering
world-class winter experiences.

Equally important is our rapidly growing health tourism sector. Türkiye has become one
of the world’s leading destinations for advanced medical services, plastic surgery,
wellness and recovery— supported by international accreditation,
state-of-the-art facilities, and highly trained professionals.

This diverse range of culture, sea, mountains, health and wellness — reflects the
extraordinary richness which Türkiye offers to international visitors.

Now let me turn to Turkish Airlines, which plays a truly central role in bringing and
promoting this richness to the world.

Turkish Airlines is not merely an airliner — it is also a global connector and a source
of great national pride for us. Today, it flies to 352 destinations in 131
countries, holding the Guinness World Record for flying to the highest number
of countries.

Here in Houston, its presence is especially meaningful and highly useful for
facilitation of commercial, academic and humanitarian relations. The direct
flights from Houston to Istanbul opens the door to an entire global network.
Travelers from Texas can reach not only Türkiye, but also Europe, the Middle
East, Africa, Asia, and beyond with exceptional connectivity and unique
passenger experience.

Turkish Airlines has also been earning for years numerous international awards, such as
Skytrax for its service quality, reliability, catering and overall passenger
experience. But beyond the awards, Turkish Airlines serves as a cultural
ambassador — introducing millions of passengers each year to Turkish
hospitality, cuisine, and warmth. Every flight is an opportunity to showcase
the generosity and welcoming spirit which define the Turkish culture.

For Türkiye’s tourism sector, Turkish Airlines is indispensable. Its vast global
network allows tens of millions of guests to enjoy our cultural treasures, ancient
cities, coastal resorts, ski slopes, and medical facilities. Turkish Airlines is
indeed one of the most important pillars of the Turkish tourism success.

DearFriends,

I came to Houston in August 2023 and assumed my duties as the Turkish Consul General.
At that time Mr. Ziya Öztürk was the regional director of Turkish Airlines
Houston Office. After a short get to know eachother, we immidiately formed a
very constructive and fruitful working practise. I was also very much impressed
on many occasions with the expertise of the Turkish Airlines staff working both
at the city office and at the office in Houston Airport.

As you know, now we have a new Turkish Airlines General Manager in Houston. We
welcomed Mr. Mehmed Zingal in September 2025. When he came to town we had a very
productive meeting and started working on various subjects in a practical way.
I want to thank him for his professionalism.

As I conclude, I would like to express my sincere appreciation:

To the Turkish Airlines leadership and Houston team, for their dedication and their exceptional
service.

And to everyone for joining us tonight, thank you for being a part of this wonderful gathering.

Thank you very much.