After nearly four remarkable years as Türkiye’s Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Hami Aksoy shares memories of his time in Belgrade and reflects on his new role in Ankara, where he now navigates the world of digital diplomacy
Despite the change in scenery, his bond with Serbia—and the friendships forged there—remains as strong as ever.
What have you been doing since you left Belgrade?
Greetings to all my dear friends from Türkiye! It has been almost five months since my departure but I still cherish the unforgettable memories of the time I spent in beautiful Belgrade. Upon my arrival in Ankara I assumed a new role at the Foreign Ministry as Director-General for Science and Technology Policies, a surprising and challenging post. My portfolio includes artificial intelligence, cyberspace, quantum technology, outer space, innovation, and other new technologies – what is often termed “Digital Diplomacy” or “Tech Diplomacy”. Indeed, we are living in an era of frontier technologies, and the greatest challenge is the good governance of these rapid emerging technologies. Deepening bilateral relations in science and technology is a part of my work, and I look forward to working with my Serbian colleagues, as Serbia is an emerging tech hub in Europe.
What (and who) do you miss the most from Serbia?
My dear wife Canan and I spent almost four amazing years in Belgrade. Needless to say, serving as the Turkish Ambassador in Serbia was a privilege, especially during what our Presidents have called the “Golden Age” of our relations. During my tenure I always felt at home, thanks to the warmth and kindness extended to me by the people of this beautiful country. I have been fortunate to establish wonderful friendships and professional relationships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am thankful for their solidarity and unwavering support. Besides my friends, I miss so many things in Serbia: walking down Knez Mihajlova with my wife, enjoying the beautiful view of the Sava from the heights of Kalemegdan Fortress, cycling around Ada Ciganlija, chatting with friends in Beton Hala, visiting Novi Pazar to meet our Bosniak brothers and sisters, and, of course, the lively diplomatic life of the capital. However, I am fortunate enough to have two Ambassadors in Ankara who also served in Belgrade: Ambassador Takahiko Katsumata of Japan and Ambassador Virginia Pina of Portugal. We often talk about the wonderful times we spent in Belgrade. We all look forward to visiting Belgrade again and reuniting with our friends.
