In this vein, final preparations to implement a new structure at the Foreign Ministry to oversee public diplomacy, with the goal of acquainting the public with the latest decisions and developments in Turkey’s foreign policy, are almost complete.
The Foreign Ministry started a similar project three years ago with a seminar in the capital that considered similar experiences in the Netherlands, Germany, the US, Canada and Israel. However, there was no follow-up, and the project was halted due to a lack of attention. To better explain Turkey’s foreign policy priorities to the international community and to win support from the public, the ministry has decided to establish a public diplomacy wing. The effort will be coordinated by Namık Tan, deputy undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry.
The Foreign Ministry will also expand its presence on social-networking Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter, including the creation of a Facebook fan page for Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.
