TİKA Builds New Connections Between Turkey And Hungary

Conducting numerous projects for protecting historical and cultural heritage and conveying that heritage to future generations in the best possible way, TIKA makes a significant contribution to the development of Turkish-Hungarian relations by the steps taken concerning Ottoman works in Hungary.

TIKA added a new dimension to the friendly relations between the two countries since September of 2012.
A number of projects to shed light on the common history of the Turkish and Hungarian people matured and became enforceable due to the mutual negotiations of TIKA and the Hungarian authorities.

Negotiations about the projects that can contribute to the continuation of increasing cultural and economic relations between Turkey and Hungary has become more concrete with a memorandum of understanding signed during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Hungary on February 5, 2013.

TIKA’s First Contacts with Hungarian Authorities

Beneficial discussions were made between the two countries, concerning the protection of historical and cultural monuments during TIKA delegation’s visit to Hungary on 17-19 September 2012 led by Chairman Serdar Çam. With this visit, the mutual history between Turkish and Hungarian cultures were seen at its place and important contacts between the two countries to act in co-operation regarding the protection of common cultural heritage were established. Following these contacts, TIKA’s President Dr. Serdar ÇAM and János Kolovics, Mayor of Szigetvár signed two different texts at a ceremony held with the participation by press members, at the Hungarian Embassy in Ankara on November 21, 2012. Primarily a memorandum of understanding was signed based on mutual goodwill to protect the common history of the two countries, including the restoration of Ottoman monuments in Hungary and the Turkish House located in Szigetvár. Afterwards a Research Support Agreement was signed in order to locate and rebuilt Suleiman the Magnificent’s tomb where his internal organs were buried during his final campaign at Szigetvár Castle. With this agreement it is intended to locate and reestablish Ottoman monuments in Hungary with archaeological and historical research and shed light on Turkish-Hungarian mutual history. As a continuation of the mutual good intention the two countries have shown for cooperation, the Hungarian Development Bank President paid a visit to Turkey along with a delegation.

During the banquet TIKA’s President Dr. Serdar ÇAM throw in honor of Turkish and Hungarian delegations, ideas were exchanged about the studies that may be done for the development of collaborative workspaces and relationships.

Delegation of Specialists Business Visit to Hungary

In accordance with the agreements made at the Hungarian Embassy in Ankara, a five-person delegation of experts from TIKA, the General Directorate of Foundations and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, made a business visit to Hungary. With this visit the study plans for the reconstruction project of Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque and redecoration and reopening of the Turkish House in Szigetvár were determined. The co-ordination and co-operation of the aforementioned studies between the two countries will be operated by TIKA on behalf of Turkey and the Hungarian Development Bank on behalf of Hungary. In this context, as a concrete result of negotiations which has been going on since September 2012, a memorandum of understanding were prepared to be signed between the Hungarian Development Bank and TIKA. According to the memorandum of understanding;

•  Reconstruction project of Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque in Szigetvár,
•  Restoration and organization of the Turkish House in Szigetvár to be opened as a museum,
• Locating and rebuilding the tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent where his internal organs were buried and restoration of;
• Idris Baba Tomb in Pecs
• Ottoman Baths in Hungary
• Gülbaba Tomb in Budapest were agreed upon.

TIKA has provided a major contribution to the development of relations between Turkey and Hungary with the memorandum of understanding signed between TIKA’s President Dr. Serdar Çam and Chairman of the Development Bank of Hungary Laszlo Jozsef Serdar Baranyay, under the supervision of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.