In a recognition of his tremendous contributions to the development of economic cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries, Spain’s Honorary Consul in Izmit Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem has been awarded the Kingdom of Spain’s civil merit decoration “Encomienda de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica” in a ceremony organised on behalf of the King of Spain his Majesty Felipe VI in Ankara on 22 September 2016. IKV Chairman and Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu also attended the award ceremony.

In the ceremony which was organised by Spain’s Ambassador to Ankara H.E. Rafael Mendivil, the attendees included former Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bağış, former Minister of the Interior Muammer Güler, former Minister for Transportation İbrahim Aysoy, former Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey and Retired Governor Kemal Nehrozoğlu, Deputies from Mardin Orhan Miroğlu and Ceyda Bölünmez Çankırı, Deputy Cuma İçten, former Deputy from Mardin Gönül Bekin Şahkulubey, Mardin Artuklu University Secretary General Şahin Arpağ, TESK President Bendevi Palandöken, Ministry of Foreign Affairs General Director of the Consulate Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Samsar, Assyrian Community Spiritual Leader and Deputy Patriarch Metropolitan Mor Filüknos Yusuf Çetin, Assyrian Catholic Church Deputy Patriarch Monseigneur Yusuf Sağ, Yeşilli Mayor Hayrettin Demir, Sweden Assyrian Associations Representative Hobil Rhawi, Mardin Associations Federation Chairman İbrahim Biter, Assyrian Foundation Chairman Sait Susin, Assyrian Foundation Deputy Chairman Kenan Gürdal, MARSEV Secretary General Retired General Yavuz Ölçen, Kahraman Tribe Leader Abdurrahman Kahraman, Businessman Mehmet Emin Değer, Mardin Journalists Society Honorary Chairman and Press Council Member Adnan Avuka, Mardin Journalists Society Chairman and Turkey Journalists Confederation Board of Directors Member Mehmet Çelik, Mardin Businessmen Kılay and Bekir Falay, a large number of high level administrators and employees of the Spanish Embassy, representatives and bureaucrats from the Spanish and Turkish Governments along with Members of the Board of Directors of TOBB, İKV, DEIK, TÜSIAD, MÜSIAD, ISO, ITO, TABA, AMCham along with deputies and artists.

The first speech at the ceremony was realised by Spanish Ambassador H.E. Rafael Mendivil. In his speech, Mendivil reminded that Dr. Erdem has been Spain’s Honorary Consul in Izmit since 2005. He stressed that the civil merit decoration that is awarded to Dr. Erdem is a testimony to his loyalty and friendship to Spain and to a strong and fruitful relationship between Turkey and Spain. He highlighted that Dr. Erdem has shown tremendous contributions to the bilateral relations and has acted as a bridge between the two parties in that respect. Referring to bilateral relations, Mendivil underscored that Spain is a trustworthy ally of Turkey within the framework of NATO and has been supportive of its EU accession process from the beginning. Furthermore, he also indicated that Spain has been consistent in strongly condemning terrorist attacks which have struck Turkey and has backed Turkey’s democratic institutions in face of any challenge. In that respect, he especially stressed that the Spanish Government has strongly condemned the failed coup attempt of the 15 July and expressed its support for Turkey’s democratic institutions.

Addressing the attendees, former Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bağış reminded that the first message of condemnation of the events of 15 July came from Spain. Bağış also highlighted the vitality of Turkish-Spanish relations, referring to their long history and to the alliance between the two countries within NATO. Moreover, Bağış also explained that Spain can be considered as a good example for Turkey, a country that has tackled a similar coup attempt and reinforced its democratic system later. Indicating that Dr. Erdem has also played an important role in contributing to Turkey’s EU accession process, Bağış expressed the wish that Turkey will take its rightful place within the Union as Spain.

As for the recipient of the award, Dr. Erdem, explained that Turkey and Spain, two Mediterranean countries, have always been supportive of one another. He expressed the wish to see further investments from Spanish companies in Turkey and indicated that Turkey is always ready for further cooperation in along with trade, social, cultural and political areas.

Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem was appointed as Spain’s Honorary Consul in Izmit in 2005. At the same time, he has assumed the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship of DEIK’s Turkish-Spanish Business Council which had been created in 1989 at by the then President Turgut Özal with the aim of enhancing economic, political and cultural relations between Turkey and Spain.

He has also played a tremendous role in Turkey becoming Spain’s 7^th largest trade partner thanks to the activities of the Business Council and to the elaboration of a Joint Action Plan between the parties following the decision of the Spanish Government to choose Turkey as a target country.

Exports performed by Spanish companies in Turkey have increased by 60% for the last seven years. It is expected that Turkey’s trade volume with Spain will reach 10 billion euros in the upcoming years. In that respect, one should refer to the presence of Spanish companies in projects such as the Marmaray project, the high speed train projects and Ankara Metro. DEIK Turkish-Spanish Business Council aims at increasing the number of Spanish companies winning important public tenders in Turkey and thus further contributes to the stimulation of the economic relations between the parties.

Who is Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem?

Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem, was born on 1944 in Mardin, Turkey. After his graduation from Yıldız Teknik University Faculty of Chemistry in 1970, he successfully completed the Ph.D. program at Istanbul University Faculty of Management.  He worked as an assistant in the Chair of Industrial Inorganic Chemistry between 1973-1976.  He was the President of Istanbul Chamber of Chemical Engineers between 1972-1974 and the President of Kimsan Labour Union in 1973. He was the founder of MDP (National Democratic Party) Istanbul City Organization in 1983. Erdem Holding Inc. has been founded in 1965. Recently 4.200 personnel are working at HQ and Branches.

Dr. Erdem is a member of Global Advisory Board of George Washington University since 2002.  On 2 May 2006, the Presidency Counsel of Turkish Parliament has awarded Dr.Zeynel Abidin Erdem with the “Superior Service Award Medal and Title of Privilege” of the Turkish Parliament for his superior servings to Turkish Republic and Nation both in the national and international level, for his contribution to the promotion of Turkey, and for his worthwhile services for the prosperity, education, wellness and social development of the Nation

Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem represents Turkey as a Honorary Ambassador abroad thanks to his priceless works at Non-governmental Organizations at international scale.

Dr. Erdem is married, and has two children. He is fluent in English and Arabic.