Event Title: Ambassador Namik Tan - "Turkish-U.S. Strategic Partnership: Past, Present and Future"

Who: Ambassador Namik Tan, Ambassador of Turkey
When: Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Where: Gainey Ranch Golf Club
Time: Cocktails 6:00 p.m. - Dinner 7:00 p.m. - Program 8:00 p.m.

By PCFR member Edib "Ed" Kirdar

Event Photos:  Click on Image to view larger

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Appointed Ambassador from Turkey to the United States in February 2010,  Namik Tan has devoted his life to the diplomatic service of his country. In prior years, Ambassador Tan was Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for bilateral political affairs and public diplomacy, as well as serving as Ambassador from Turkey to Israel from 2007 to 2009.

Ambassador Tan joined the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1982, and following an appointment to the Department of Maritime Affairs, he was posted to Moscow as Second Secretary from 1984 to 1987. He then spent two years as First Secretary of his Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Returning to Turkey, Mr. Tan became Deputy Chief of Cabinet to the Turkish President until 1991.

No stranger to the United States, Mr. Tan previously  served  the Turkish government in the U.S. as  Embassy Counselor from 1991 to 1995 and First Counselor from 1997 to 2001. Between these assignments, Mr. Tan served as Chief of Cabinet to the Turkish Foreign

Minister. Upon his return to Turkey in 2001, he became  Head of the Department for the Americas, and was subsequently named Head of the Information Department in 2002, following which he went on to serve as the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2004 to 2007.

Born in 1956, Ambassador Tan holds a law degree from Ankara University. He and his wife, Mrs. Fugen Tan, are the parents of two children.

The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is delighted to welcome Ambassador Tan. Following his remarks, the meeting will feature a Q and A session during which the Ambassador will respond to questions from the floor.