Turkish Ambassador Bid Farewell: Kuwait Will Remain My Second Homeland... I Have a Sister in Ankara
The two countries’ relations have been described as a “strategic partnership,” with bilateral trade surpassing $1 billion for the first time.
Tuba Sonmez, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Kuwait, affirmed during her farewell ceremony marking the end of her tenure that the four years she spent in Kuwait were among the most prominent milestones of her diplomatic career. She praised the qualitative development witnessed by Kuwaiti-Turkish relations, which elevated them to the level of a strategic partnership, and expressed her gratitude to the Kuwaiti leadership, government, and people for the cooperation and hospitality she received throughout her posting.
Weather: Severe
News
Date
She stated that she assumed her duties on June 2, 2022, under the mandate of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. She emphasized that representing her country in Kuwait was a great honor, and that bilateral relations experienced a significant leap, crowned by the historic visit of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to Turkey, alongside President Erdogan’s visit to Kuwait. These visits reflected a shared political will to strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
She commended Kuwait’s stance during the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey in February 2023, affirming that the airlift, the dispatch of search and rescue teams, and humanitarian aid would remain firmly etched in the memory of the Turkish people.
She noted that the Embassy organized more than 150 events in the fields of culture, education, arts, and economy. In 2024, the Embassy celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries through art and archival exhibitions, musical concerts, and official receptions. Additionally, it inaugurated the “Friendship Mural” in Souq Al-Mubarakiya and published a book documenting six decades of Kuwaiti-Turkish relations.
She added that the Embassy implemented awareness programs under the “Zero Waste” initiative to promote environmental awareness. She confirmed that the volume of trade between the two countries exceeded $1 billion for the first time in 2025, achieving a growth rate of 52 percent thanks to the efforts of business councils and economic forums.
In the defense sector, she pointed out that the integration of “Bayraktar TB2” drones into the Kuwaiti defense system opened new horizons for cooperation, alongside enhanced coordination in multilateral organizations. The Embassy also launched the “Embassy Diwaniya” initiative to strengthen communication with the Turkish community and Kuwaiti society.
In conclusion, the Ambassador expressed her thanks to the Kuwaiti authorities, her colleagues at the Embassy, and members of the diplomatic corps. She affirmed that Kuwait had become her second home, stating: “From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to various state institutions, through Diwaniyas and even social occasions, I never felt like a stranger among you… Kuwait will always be my second home, and from today, I have become your sister in Ankara.”
Key Milestones of the Turkish Ambassador in Kuwait
● 150 cultural, educational, economic, and artistic events over four years.
● 60 years of diplomatic relations between Kuwait and Turkey, celebrated in 2024.
● “Friendship Mural” in Souq Al-Mubarakiya and the publication of a book documenting the trajectory of bilateral relations.
● Bilateral trade volume exceeding $1 billion for the first time in 2025.
● 52% growth in trade between the two countries.
● Integration of “Bayraktar TB2” drones into the Kuwaiti defense system.
● Launch of the “Embassy Diwaniya” initiative to enhance communication with Kuwaiti society and the Turkish community.
● Implementation of environmental initiatives under the “Zero Waste” program.
