The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to the Republic of Belarus Güçlü Cem Işık visited the Institute of Philosophy of the NAS of Belarus. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize with the activities of the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center, established on the basis of the Institute of Philosophy in 2023. The meeting was attended by the Directorate and staff of the Institute of Philosophy, Head of the Main Directorate of International Scientific and Technical Cooperation of the NAS of Belarus Vladimir Podkopayev, representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in the Republic of Belarus.

The distinguished Turkish guests were shown the exhibition exposition of the Institute of Philosophy, an inspection of the latest scientific publications and scientific achievements of academic philosophers took place. The guests were told about the history and modern directions of scientific, organizational and educational activities of the Institute of Philosophy of the NAS of Belarus.

During the meeting, Anatoly Lazarevich, Director of the Institute of Philosophy, congratulated the Ambassador on the start of his diplomatic mission in the Republic of Belarus (Mr. Işık assumed his duties on February 1, 2024), noted that the continuation of friendly relations between the countries is the fruitful scientific cooperation between the Institute of Philosophy and the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in the Republic of Belarus. A natural consequence of the partnership was the creation of a Belarusian-Turkish Research Center. Anatoly Lazarevich spoke about the tasks and activities of the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center, expressed hope that the Center has great prospects for development for the benefit of science, education and culture of Belarus and Türkiye.

Vladimir Podkopayev, Head of the Main Directorate of International Scientific and Technical Cooperation of the NAS of Belarus, conveyed greetings to Mr. Işık and the entire delegation of the Turkish Embassy from Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov and invited them to pay a visit to the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus. He noted that today more than 40 international research centers are effectively functioning in the NAS of Belarus, and the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center at the Institute of Philosophy is a worthy example of high-intensity and effective cooperation of academic scientists. He expressed hope that the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center could become a center of attraction not only for scientists and teachers of Belarus, but also for all Belarusian citizens interested in Turkish culture.

The second part of the meeting was held directly within the walls of the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center, where there was a substantive conversation about the prospects for the development of the Center, the possibilities of expanding the issues of research and educational and information activities, improving the skills of scientific personnel by learning the Turkish language, conducting topical presentations, public lectures and master classes. The joint Belarusian-Turkish Research Center is a structural unit of the Institute of Philosophy, it includes both Belarusian and Turkish researchers and teachers, and serves as a space for theoretical and practical interaction between scientists of the two countries to identify common value and ideological vectors in the historical past and cultural present. Today, the Center is working to coordinate and conduct joint scientific research, implement individual projects in the field of historical, cultural, spiritual and philosophical heritage of Belarus and Türkiye, and regularly teach the Turkish language. The Center's staff plans to translate the works of Turkish and Belarusian philosophers and scientists into Belarusian and Turkish, respectively.

Mr. Ambassador expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome and said that he had learned about the establishment of the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center long before coming to our country. He noted that scientific and humanitarian cooperation between Türkiye and Belarus is the most important dimension of interaction between friendly countries, which makes it possible to bring trade and economic relations to a new level. Mr. Güçlü Işık highly appreciated the work done in a short time on the qualitative and meaningful organization of scientific research, the technical equipment of the Center, the organization of Turkish language courses, noted the presence of a highly qualified specialists team of the Center, which acts as a guarantee of productive cooperation.

The parties also discussed prospects for further cooperation with the Turkish Maarif Foundation, forms of improving modern philosophical knowledge and scientific and educational activities in the context of the Center's work and the development of Belarusian-Turkish relations, agreed on the significant potential of the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center, the traditions of the Belarusian academic philosophical school in building good, reliable and highly effective relations between Belarus and Türkiye.