Erdoğan bids farewell and marks ‘new beginning’ with envoys at traditional iftar dinner

Envoys from diplomatic missions represented in Ankara, mostly chargé d’affairs, along with representatives of various religious groups and Ankara bureau chiefs of selected media outlets, were gathered at the headquarters of Justice and Development Party (AKP) late on July 15 for the seventh traditional iftar dinner. They were there to mark - in all probability - their final meeting with AKP chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan under his capacity as the prime minister.  

“It will perhaps be my last meeting with you as the prime minister in the event of my election as the president. But we will continue to come together on all occasions to discuss regional and global issues as well as our bilateral relations with you,” Erdoğan said in his address. “I would like take this occasion that marks a farewell, but at the same time a new beginning, to thank you all for your cooperation and contributions.” 

To the contrary of his harsh and sometimes aggressive image over foreign policy matters, Erdoğan is described as gentle and soft-spoken politician by diplomats familiar with his “behind-closed-doors” manner toward foreign guests. Although his insistent efforts to encourage foreign ambassadors to have at least three children can sometimes be annoying, many find Erdoğan’s approach humoristic and sympathetic.

One other point that many ambassadors in Ankara agree on is that Erdoğan will win the presidential elections in either the first or the second round. Some European diplomats believe that a victory in the second round would be much better - first to avoid a full, clear victory and second to allow Kurdish political groups to increase their hand against the government in the peace process...