Official Visit | Eran

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Office of the Prime Minister, Eran< DukeofBread > [Sender]: Office of the Prime Minister, Türkiye <BaşbakanlıkOfisi@tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Letter of Invitation to Ankara

Your Excellency, On behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Türkiye, I have the honor to convey the warm regards of Her Excellency the Prime Minister to Your Excellency and to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Eran. It is with great respect and sincere appreciation for the longstanding spirit of cooperation and mutual esteem between our two nations that the Government of the Republic of Türkiye extends a formal invitation to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eran to undertake an official working visit to Ankara at a mutually convenient date. The proposed visit would provide a valuable opportunity for comprehensive and constructive discussions on matters of bilateral interest, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, regional and international developments, and avenues for further strengthening the friendly relations between our respective governments. The Government of the Republic of Türkiye is confident that such engagements will contribute meaningfully to deepening mutual understanding and advancing shared objectives. During the course of the visit, it is envisaged that Your Excellency would hold official talks with His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Republic of Türkiye, as well as meetings with other senior officials. The Turkish side would be honored to host Your Excellency and accompanying delegation and to extend all customary courtesies befitting the distinguished nature of the visit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye stands ready to coordinate with the relevant authorities of the Kingdom of Eran regarding proposed dates, program details, and logistical arrangements, so as to ensure the success and smooth conduct of the visit. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration and esteem. We look forward to the favorable consideration of this invitation and to welcoming Your Excellency to Ankara in the near future. Kindest regards, Can Yaman Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister, Republic of Türkiye Ankara, Türkiye

 

[DukeofBread]

𐎻𐎡𐏁𐎫​

To: <Office of the Prime Minister, Türkiye - Can Yaman, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister> Jay
Subject: <Letter of Invitation to Ankara>
Security Type: <Confidential>

Honorable Chief of Staff Yaman,

in the Name of his Excellency Prime Minister Mána Ràba as well as his majesty, the Great King, Shahan'Shah Gustàsp III., who is notified of our communication, I thank Her Excellency, Prime Minister Çiller and her Office, for this official Invitation. The Minister and the Shah himself see this as an extraordinary proof of cooperation and understanding between our Nations, People and Governments, especially given the tensions of past years under more ill-fated usurper Governments in Iran.

I wish hereby to renew your most kind greetings and wishes for the People of Iran, by wishing the Republic of Türkiye, its government, people and the Nation itself all the blossoming, you strive to achieve and a humble sky, to oversee those which you have already rooted in turkish soil.

Hereby I accept your invitation in the Name of his Excellency Prime Minister Ràba.
He will be pleased to be hosted by your nation and honored to conduct the proposed talks with Prime Minister Çiller.
I would like to propose also further meetings for cooperation and coordination, along the already established talking points by officials of our both governments.
The Kingdom of Èran would therefore like to bring senior Intelligence - Spàsakà, Military - Defense Ministry and economic - ministry of Commerce, personal along his excellency the prime Minister, if your government would be interested to hold with these personal additional meetings, as you expressed in your generous letter.

We would like to make an first proposal for dates and official program details. For the date of visit, we would like to propose the end of Juni 2008, we can establish exact dates once this area of date is confirmed by your office. The prime minister would definitively want to visit Ankara and Istanbul. He also would like to visit Bodrum, the sight of the ruins of the Tomb of Mausolus.
We are fully open for further proposals for the visit by your office.

Please let me express the honor and consideration by his Excellency Prime Minister Ràba for this visit.

Sincerely,

Mehrdad Moafi
First Deputy of Staff to the Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Kingdom of Èran

 

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Office of the Prime Minister, Eran< DukeofBread > [Sender]: Office of the Prime Minister, Türkiye <BaşbakanlıkOfisi@tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Letter of Invitation to Ankara

Your Excellency, On behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Türkiye, I have the honor to acknowledge the correspondence transmitted by Your Excellency on behalf of His Excellency Prime Minister Mána Ràba. The Government of the Republic of Türkiye conveys its sincere appreciation for the cordial sentiments expressed toward our nation, our government, and the people of Türkiye. The Turkish Government is pleased to confirm that the proposed framework of the visit, including the presence of accompanying delegations representing the intelligence, defense, and economic institutions of the Kingdom of Èran, is entirely acceptable. With regard to the proposed schedule, the Government of the Republic of Türkiye welcomes the suggestion for a visit during the early summer period and is pleased to confirm that the dates of 8–11 June 2008 would be suitable for the official working visit of His Excellency Prime Minister Ràba. It would be our honor to host His Excellency in Ankara, where formal bilateral talks between the Prime Ministers will take place, as well as meetings with senior ministers and state officials. The Turkish side is equally pleased to facilitate visits to Istanbul and Bodrum, including arrangements for His Excellency to view the historic site of the ancient Tomb of Mausolus, should this remain within the Prime Minister’s desired program. Our respective offices may continue to coordinate the detailed schedule and accompanying arrangements through the established diplomatic channels. The Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye remain at Your Excellency’s disposal to finalize programmatic details and ensure that every aspect of the visit reflects the dignity, hospitality, and friendship that our government wishes to extend to His Excellency and the distinguished delegation of the Kingdom of Èran. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration and esteem. We look forward with anticipation to welcoming His Excellency Prime Minister Ràba to Türkiye and to the productive discussions that will accompany this important visit. Kindest regards, Can Yaman Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister Republic of Türkiye Ankara, Türkiye

 

[Jay]

With the green light for the summit to begin, the Turks wasted no time in extending their hospitality and making preparations for the venue. Ahead of the arrival of the Iranians, the streets of Istanbul were adorned with the flags of both nations.

Prime Minister Çiller had the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrange for visas and diplomatic clearances for all guests expected to be in attendance. The MİT conducted background reviews on 29 Iranian, Gulf Arab, and Central Asian nationals who had expressed online sentiments calling for harm to the Prime Minister. The MİT also followed up with 4 European nationals who had made similar statements. None of these check-ins would produce any concerns.

At Istanbul Atatürk Airport, the MİT and National Police secured the Private Terminal where their guests were expected to arrive. Around the terminal, MİT special operations officers in dark tactical gear alongside the Gendarmerie's counter-terrorism units patrolled in rotating shifts. K9 units swept through the luggage and circled the perimeter quietly.

The regional climate had given Turkish security officials much to consider. The ongoing instability in parts of the Middle East and the proliferation of political violence globally did not offer easy reassurances. Türkiye's MİT would coordinate closely with their Iranian counterparts to ensure all intelligence was being pooled and acted upon ahead of any potential disruption to the summit.

At the Private Terminal, the welcome delegation assembled to receive the Iranians. Among them stood the Iranian Ambassador to Türkiye and Kerem Aydın, a Turkish cultural commentator and journalist with a wide following in Iran's educated circles.

Prime Minister Ràba's aircraft, upon entering Turkish airspace, was welcomed by four F-16 Fighting Falcons which flanked it gracefully, streamers in the colors of the Iranian Imperial flag flowing on the left side and the Turkish crescent and star on the right. As the aircraft began its descent into Atatürk, Prime Minister Çiller departed the terminal and made her way to the tarmac to greet her guest personally.

The Turkish Koruma Dairesi prepared the motorcade as the plane began to taxi. They coordinated with Iranian security officials present, guiding them to their assigned vehicles before the Prime Minister disembarked.

As the Iranian delegation stepped out onto the tarmac, they were met by the familiar weight of Istanbul's cool air cool and tinged with salt carried off the Bosphorus. The grand sweep of the airport gleamed before them. After passing through diplomatic channels, the group was received by a Turkish woman who introduced herself as Selin Demirtaş, the protocol official assigned to the Iranian delegation for the duration of the visit.

She led the group to the VIP guest lounge, where a table had been arranged with Persian tea in ornate istikans, platters of Turkish lokum, Iranian saffron sweets, baklava layered in honey and pistachio, and an assortment of dried fruits and nuts arranged in the Persian tradition.

As they settled and refreshed themselves, Selin made quiet preparations to move the delegation toward the venue ahead of their Prime Minister's formal arrival. Shortly after, the motorcade would begin shuttling Iranian officials toward the summit hall. Several sleek Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sedans flanked by Chevy Tahoes and motorcycles waited outside. With their bags in tow, the delegation followed Selin through the terminal doors and into the waiting convoy.

When Prime Minister Ràba descended the steps of her aircraft, he was greeted by the sight of Prime Minister Çiller standing at the foot of the red carpet, the Turkish and Imperial Iranian flags flanking either side. Çiller extended her hand warmly and welcomed Ràba to Istanbul. After introducing him to the welcoming committee, the two Prime Ministers entered Çiller's official vehicle together.

As the motorcade moved through Istanbul's storied streets, the city pulsed around them. The skyline shifted between Ottoman minarets and modern glass towers. The Bosphorus shimmered in the distance. Prime Minister Çiller pointed out the silhouette of the Topkapı Palace, the sweep of the Golden Horn, and the grand dome of the Hagia Sophia visible against the grey winter sky.

She remarked on the ongoing Istanbul Culture Festival, which had drawn artists and visitors from across the region. For an Iranian delegation with deep roots in shared Persianate and Turkic civilization, the city felt less foreign than familiar.

Security was well maintained. The Koruma Dairesi conducted thorough inspections of each vehicle approaching the summit venue. Snipers were positioned along the motorcade's route. National Police secured the roads and intersections. All of it in service of ensuring no unforeseen threat could disturb the course of diplomacy.

The venue, a grand hall within the Dolmabahçe Palace complex was ornated with a white marble façade. Outside, Koruma officers maintained their watch, a protective perimeter drawn around the palace grounds.

Inside, Turkish and Iranian civil servants mingled at a small reception ahead of the arrival of their principals. They were served Persian tea alongside Turkish meze, the soft clinking of small glasses filling the room with a convivial warmth.

As they drove, Prime Minister Çiller made easy small talk with Prime Minister Ràba. She shared something of her own life, showing Raba photos of her children. She then asked Ràba about his inspirations and the forces that had drawn him to public life.

Once the motorcade passed through the outer gates of the Dolmabahçe complex, the two Prime Ministers stepped out onto the red carpet together. Inside, Prime Minister Ràba was introduced to the Turkish Cabinet, greeting each minister in turn alongside Çiller. The same was then repeated with the Iranian Cabinet. Afterwards, both Prime Ministers were brought before members of the Turkish-Iranian community, academics, businesspeople, cultural figures, who had gathered for a brief reception and exchange.

Prime Minister Ràba was then invited to sign the guestbook in the diplomatic reception chamber, after which Prime Minister Çiller presented him with gifts on behalf of the Turkish Government. After signing the guestbook, the two Prime Ministers walked together through Dolmabahçe's gilded interior corridors.

When Prime Ministers Çiller and Ràba took their seats, the hall gradually quieted, the music fading softly into the background. Prime Minister Ràba looked down at the menu before him.

Mercimek Çorbası — A velvety red lentil soup seasoned with cumin and dried mint, finished with a swirl of butter and a wedge of fresh lemon.

Ash-e Reshteh — A hearty Persian noodle soup enriched with legumes, spinach, and kashk, the tangy whey that lends it its characteristic depth, garnished with caramelized onion and dried mint.

Kuzu Tandır — Slow-roasted lamb, falling tenderly from the bone, prepared in the Anatolian tradition with charred vegetables and served alongside fresh flatbread and yoghurt.

Fesenjan — A rich and fragrant Persian stew of duck braised in a sauce of crushed walnuts and pomegranate molasses, its dark, complex flavors speaking to centuries of Persian culinary refinement.

Börek — Flaky layers of hand-rolled yufka pastry filled with white cheese and fresh herbs, baked golden and served sliced in warm portions.

Zoolbia and Bamieh — Iranian fried sweets, crisp and soaked in rose-scented saffron syrup, served alongside clotted cream and cardamom tea.

Künefe — Shredded wheat pastry layered over soft unsalted cheese, soaked in sugar syrup and topped with crushed pistachio, served warm from the pan, a dessert beloved on both sides of the shared civilizational heritage.

As the first courses were served, the lights dimmed gently and a celebrated Turkish classical ensemble took to the stage, performing a curated programme that wove together Ottoman and Persian classical compositions.

When the performance drew to a close, applause rose warmly from all corners of the room. Conversation resumed alongside the final courses, the orchestra continuing at a softer register — ambient, soothing, the kind of music that loosened shoulders and opened minds.

After an hour or so had passed, the luncheon drew to a close. Guests rose and filtered out, the hall slowly emptying as Turkish and Iranian delegations made their way toward the summit rooms.

The civil servants had long since completed the setup of the summit hall and cleared the room of all but ministers and their immediate staff. As the hour approached, the afternoon light of Istanbul fell across the Bosphorus and caught the gilded details of the palace's interior, the whole room taking on a soft, amber warmth.

Then, as Prime Minister Ràba walked through the tall ceremonial doors that swung open at her approach, the summit officially began. The two sides separated and moved toward their respective delegation, Prime Minister Çiller and the Turkish team seated across from Prime Minister Ràba and the Iranian delegation. When all had settled and the journalists had taken their positions along the walls, Prime Minister Çiller rose and delivered her opening remarks.

"Prime Minister Ràba, dear friend, welcome to Türkiye. Welcome to Istanbul.

It is my great privilege to welcome you here, to this city that has stood at the meeting point of civilizations for two thousand years, a fitting place, I think, for two nations whose histories are as deeply intertwined as ours.

I want to begin by congratulating you sincerely on your appointment as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iran. The confidence placed in you by His Imperial Majesty and the Iranian people speaks to the quality of your record and the clarity of your vision. We in Ankara have watched with great admiration as Iran has continued to develop and strengthen itself, politically, economically, and culturally. Your country's progress is a matter of genuine pride for those of us who consider Iran not merely a neighbor, but a partner of the highest order.

Türkiye and Iran are not strangers to one another. We are ancient nations, shaped by common rivers of history, the Silk Road that connected our markets, the poets and scholars whose verses crossed our borders without passports, the faiths and philosophies that moved between our peoples like water finding its own level. Long before there were modern maps to divide us, there was a civilization we both helped to build.

Today, we meet as democratic governments, committed to the sovereignty and prosperity of our peoples and to a vision of the region that is stable, multipolar, and just. We share a border and we share a future. That is not a small thing. In a world where many partnerships are transactional and temporary, what Türkiye and Iran have built over generations is something more durable, a relationship rooted in geography, culture, and mutual respect.

Our trade has grown steadily and there is every reason to believe it can grow further still. Our energy cooperation offers both nations tangible benefit. Our shared interest in regional stability, from the Caucasus to Central Asia to the Persian Gulf, gives us a common cause that goes beyond bilateral diplomacy. When Türkiye and Iran speak in unison on matters of regional architecture, the world is compelled to listen.

I am eager for us to speak plainly with one another over these coming days, about where we see the greatest opportunities for deepening our partnership, about where our views converge and where they may differ, and about how two proud and capable nations can act together in support of a more just and equitable international order.

Türkiye does not approach Iran as a rival. We approach you as we have always approached those we respect, as equals, with candor and with warmth.

Prime Minister Ràba, Iran will always have a friend in Ankara. I hope with equal sincerity that Türkiye has a friend in Tehran. Welcome to Istanbul."

DukeofBread

 

[DukeofBread]

​

Upon the closing in Visit of Prime Minister Ràba in Turkey, alongside the Turkish preparations also the Iranian government began its own.
In close cooperation with the Turkish officials and MIT the Office of the Prime Minister together with the Spàsakà exchanged any valid information about recent threads towards the Minister and some directly hostile groups. From Iranian side these where still mostly radical Muslims and regional minority separatist groups, while also no direct danger yet was to be recorded or noticed for the Iranian Head of Government.

Escorted by 2 MiG-29s, the main Fighter Plane of the Iranian Air force, the Airbus C295 of the Prime minister arrived safely in Turkish airspace and the two Iranian Planes returned a few kilometers in front of the border, before they gave over the escort to the Turkish F-16.
Several Iranian officials where already, over the official Embassy, in place to coordinate the direct arrival of the Prime Minister. Especially third Deputy Mohazi of the Prime ministers office and Second Lieutenant Quohd from the Anùsha, dedicated to all official security business of the Government, the Royal family and therefor ofc also Prime Minister Ràba.

Under Guidance from First Deputy Mehrdad Moafi most part of the delegation got outside before the Prime Minister upon landing and followed the Turkish Selin Demirtaş to there VIP Lounge. Moafi greeted Selin himself and expressed his thanks and respect for the well maintained courtesy with which the Iranian Delegation was welcomed.

Soon after the official arrival of Prime Minister Ràba began, as he stepped outside the C295, down the stairs on the red carpet to be greeted by his Turkish Colleague, Prime Minister Çiller. With his typical calm but warm smile, and his soft handshake, a feature everyone who already met Ràba knew, he greeted the Turkish PM back and thanked Çiller for her personal welcome of him here in Istanbul.
As they entered the luxurious Mercedes cars afterwards he made a joke, that last time he entered such a vehicle was before his homecoming after exile in 2004, as since then the Iranian State officially use still mainly the Paykan Limousin.

*********​

Once inside the Car and the motorcade descending Ràba relaxed a bit from the flight, enjoyed the View of the long time ex-turkish capital and engaged in light friendly conversation with Çiller. But soon she could captivate him with all this grand but also rather familiar architecture sights and the ongoing cultural festival. He remarked his ongoing awe especially for the Hagia Sophia, which he visited in 2000, as an simple civilian in the big Iranian Diaspora, which exited since 1979.

As the drove on and the topics became more personal, Ràba showed her a picture of his own Son, Yusuv who already adult actually worked in Germany for an architecture company. In answer to Çiller's questions about his personal motivation and way towards public office, he shared his family history of fleeing just after the Pahlavi Shahs dethronement and in university, in Cannada, he actually met his today foreign Minister and later the now royal family. At that time there where just the maybe most old noble family of Iran, in exile together with there former Shah. But the willingness of today’s King Gustàsp III and the ill respond of the Pahlavis, both in power and even more afterwards, got him just into the whole movement. "I never thought actually his Majesty and Čūbīn himself would see me to be for any minister office, as I am no noble, but the Shah made it quite clear even as we just could dare to hope for establish fair government in Iran again, that the People should have there rule, and a man not of Nobility should lead the Party which bear his Dynasties name (HRPI = Haxāmanišya Royal Party of Iran) ... so here I am." Ràba shared his still ongoing chill, about the whole development from just an diaspora opposition, towards the change of his country and his actual election in 2005.

*********​

As Ràba never had seen in close the Dolmabahçe complex he took as short time for a view of that remarkable palace before he then greeted with his typical handshake the Turkish cabinet and introduced Çiller to his Cabinet which had left the Air plain behind him on the second exit. Together with the cabinet he also introduced Foreign Minister Bahrām-e Čūbīn as Prince of the royal Family and therefore choosen Emissary of the King of Kings for this visit.
Very fondly he greeted shortly the gathered members of the Interstate community, he even hugged an old friend of his, the turkish-iranian Ibn Halafi, Professor for central Asian history at the Ankara Üniversitesi, who he knew from his times at exile. Even as a prime minister, the honest and openly emphasis of inter human exchange was visible through this short occasion.

In knowledge of a great Menu to come, Ràba had not eaten much on the flight and enjoyed the roughly an hour of conversation, delight of delicate food and conversation, together with the music he remarked as very pleasant, especially as Čūbīn marked jokingly, how easy the Iranian PM could be made happy with that type of traditional music.

*********​

Strengthened by the food and eager both delegations finaly made there way towards the summit rooms and Prime Minister Ràba listened with earnest delight at the opening Speech of his host, Prime Minister Çiller.

"Prime Minister Çiller, dear friend, first I want to thank you and the whole Government, no, the Country and People of Turkey for this warm welcome and invitation to your honored Nation. Secondly I now see it only as heavily right, to Thank you for those words of understanding, cooperation, respect and friendship expressed towards me, his Majesty the Shah'an'Shah, his Peoples and my humble Government of Èran.

Not in tautology but in deep conviction I want to confirm what you, so rightefull, already said. Turkey and Iran share more than mere century’s of History, but millennia in which our ancestors and the far reaches of our country where connected by the many summers and winters of Time. If we as Iranians visit Turkey, we visit Brothers and Sisters, and it is more than courtesy to emphasis our common Philosophy, Poetry, History, Religion, the many connections and influences our country’s share to one another. I think these rank highly above all the well respected differences, which such a long history also shows still.

Even more so I want to join your words of Friendship. Today the Republic of Turkey and the Kingdom of Èran are here together in an Meeting of friends. And I want to emphasis, to be the case not merely by the Paper and dry facts of international Diplomacy. Though I and, as I know, his Majesty the Great King are proud for our recently made treaty’s and talks of understanding, resulting in a cooperation which is just showed by this visit today, Its my honor to state that our understanding in treaty’s and official talks, is one done by friendship of minds, people, population. And if I came only to celebrate this friendship between the People of Iran and Turkey, it would be a duty of rightful joy already.

With this said, I can never the less only agree and join your Statement: it is both conviction and wish of my Government, that in our working together we can show the world a cooperation, which sets a strong bond for our whole region, which extends democracy, wealth and friendship which a voice, which dares the world to listen.

Iran stands at a point of both still recovering from an ill-fated past, a Past of aggression, radicalism and isolation, but it is my personal and official duty to state the heavenly Joy which I have to speak today for an Iran that extends his hands back into the world, and gets such warm greetings, that is dedicated for democracy and Monarchy alike, and for a just sate for all its citizen. With such dedication, I stand here in awe for the Republic of Turkey and your government Prime Minister Çiller. While we know our own struggles, of Past and yet, and we see with humble respect the honored glory of your country, we also recognize the never ending strive towards all Hardship and Success your government already achieved and still goes on.

Therefore I only can wish for my visiting to benefit everyone here, and even more both our people and country’s. If we can strengthen our already established friendship, steady our shared voice towards the global community and establish a true and honest understanding in every matter, which we face equally, I can pray to the Light of Truth, for its most warm sunlight, which surely blossoms both Turkey and Èran.
I truly feel like a Friend welcomed in his respected neighbors home, and I want to reassure, both the People of Turkey and your government in person, to be welcomed in Tehran as Friends when ever Joy or Need may lead you to us. The gate of a hundred Nations, only a symbol today, may always be open for the Turkish Republic."


Jay