In the opening ceremony of the honorary consulate, the President wished it to become a Lithuanian oasis that brings Lithuanian and Turkish people ever closer.
According to the President, the new honorary consulate may serve as a point of departure for Lithuanian companies in expanding business relations in Istanbul – the center of economics, trade and finance of Turkey. This also means a real consular assistance for Lithuanian people in the megapolis with 15 million residents.
Istanbul accounts for about one third of the entire Turkish GDP. Therefore, the Lithuanian honorary consulate in the city can be of significant benefit to Lithuanian businesses for searching new trade opportunities, establishing business contacts and penetrating into the Turkish market with 80 million consumers.
Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destination for Lithuanian travelers. Over a million of Lithuanians visited Turkey during the last 20 years. Therefore, it is paramount for Lithuanian citizens in Istanbul to have a possibility to address the honorary consulate in need of urgent consular assistance. With the Centennial of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania approaching, the new honorary consulate will also contribute to informing more Turkish people about Lithuanian history and culture.
Mr. Sarper Cengiz, an executive of oil company “Sarper Petrol” is appointed the new Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Istanbul. He is also a board member of the Turkish Petroleum Industry Association.
Honorary consulates of Lithuania are already opened in Antalya, Mersin, Bursa and Izmir.
