Türkiye appoints deputy foreign minister as ambassador to Syria

Türkiye has designated Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz as its new ambassador to Syria, according to diplomatic sources confirming the appointment on Friday. The move represents a substantial development in Ankara's diplomatic approach to Damascus and was authorized by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as part of comprehensive ambassadorial reassignments affecting multiple Turkish missions worldwide.

Key European Post Changes

The diplomatic reshuffle includes significant changes to Türkiye's European representation. Yaprak Balkan, previously serving as director general for Bilateral Relations with Latin America, will become Türkiye's new permanent representative to the European Union. Meanwhile, Faruk Kaymakci, the current EU permanent representative, has been reassigned to serve as ambassador to Luxembourg, maintaining Türkiye's diplomatic presence in important European capitals.

International Organization Appointments

Sebnem Cenk, who directed bilateral relations with Central and West Africa, has been appointed as Türkiye's permanent representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal. This assignment places an experienced diplomat at a crucial United Nations specialized agency where Türkiye has been expanding its influence in global aviation standards and policies.

Global Diplomatic Representation

The reassignments extend to multiple continents, with Ayda Unlu named ambassador to Podgorica, Montenegro, and Bilgin Ozkan appointed ambassador to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. These appointments demonstrate Türkiye's continued commitment to maintaining active diplomatic engagement across diverse global regions, from the Balkans to the South Pacific.