The Greek Turkish Forum (GTF) mourns the demise of its prominent member, former Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, His Excellency Ambassador (R) Yaşar Yakış.
Ambassador Yakış was not only an outstanding diplomat but also a successful politician, public
intellectual, and writer. He held various positions in the MFA of Türkiye, representing it as
Ambassador in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and as the Permanent Representative to the United
Nations Office and other international organizations based in Vienna. He was MP in the Grand
National Assembly of Türkiye between 2002 and 2011, chairing the European Union
Harmonization Committee and the Friendship Group with France between 2007 and 2011. He also
served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2002 to 2003. He received the French Légion
d’Honneur on December 2, 2009.
He ardently supported peace and worked hard to improve Turkish-Greek relations. He will always
be remembered by all current and former members of GTF for his kind and calm character and his
soft approach to solving difficult questions. His dedication to resolving differences through
dialogue and understanding contributed to the climate of trust among the GTF members.
He will be dearly missed by all members of the GTF. His legacy will inspire us in our future
collective efforts.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his grieved family members and loving friends both in
Turkey and in Greece.