written by maria may
As Türkiye and Switzerland approach a century of diplomatic friendship in 2025, İpek Zeytinoğlu Özkan, Consul General of Türkiye in Geneva, reflects on her diplomatic journey, Türkiye’s sustainability initiatives, and the deep cultural connections between the two nations and between Türkiye and the canton of Geneva. I had the privilege of meeting Zeytinoğlu Özkan during a recent visit to Geneva, where she spoke candidly about her upbringing, career, and aspirations for the future of Turkish-Swiss relations.
Diplomacy seems almost woven into her DNA—she is the daughter of a diplomat and the first woman in her family to join the profession. Her interest in global affairs started very young. “I remember reading the ‘World’ sections of newspapers when I was just 13,” she recalls. “Diplomacy sits at the crossroads of history, geography, politics, economics, and culture, and that fascinated me.”
Although she initially considered a legal or corporate career after studying law and economics at La Sorbonne University in Paris, she was ultimately drawn to the diplomatic service. “Serving my beautiful country while traveling the world and experiencing other cultures felt like the most appealing path,” she explains.
Her career has taken her across continents. She started at the Turkish Embassy in Paris, before helping to establish Türkiye’s Embassy in Accra, Ghana, gaining invaluable experience in West African politics and culture. This was followed by a posting in New York as Counsellor at Türkiye’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, where she faced the challenges of multilateral diplomacy. “Every delegate defends their national interests, but compromise is key to finding common ground,” she recalls, sharing that some negotiations lasted well into the night. These experiences shaped her diplomatic philosophy: empathy and respect are essential. “You must make your point, but without empathy or respect, there’s no chance of finding a mutually agreeable solution.”
Now, as Consul General in Geneva, Zeytinoğlu Özkan manages consular services, fosters engagement with the Turkish community in French-speaking Switzerland, and promotes cultural diplomacy. She speaks warmly of the local Turkish residents, describing them as “well-integrated and hardworking, with wonderful and inspiring stories.”
“The relationship between Türkiye and Geneva is older than many realize,” she explains. “The Consulate of Türkiye in Geneva was first established in 1898, during the Ottoman Empire. After the Republic of Türkiye was founded in 1923, the Consulate closed briefly, only to reopen in July 1924 under the newly established Republic of Türkiye. In 2024, we celebrated a century of the Consulate General of Türkiye in Geneva, and we are planning a spring event in Geneva to commemorate this milestone.”
She views economic partnerships as a key area for growth. Recently, she and her team worked with “Invest in Türkiye” to showcase Turkish trade and investment opportunities at a Geneva Chamber of Commerce event, which garnered significant interest from Swiss business leaders.
Sustainability has become another core element of her work. She highlights Türkiye’s ratification of the Paris Agreement and creation of a dedicated Ministry for Climate Change, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2053. Currently, Turkey ranks fifth in Europe and twelfth globally in terms of the share of renewable energy in its total installed capacity. She is particularly proud of the Zero Waste Project, launched by First Lady Emine Erdoğan. “Through a UN General Assembly Resolution, put forward by Türkiye, together with 105 countries, March 30 was declared the ‘International Day of Zero Waste.’ In 2025, Geneva’s iconic Jet d’Eau will be lit in green to commemorate the occasion.”
Her time in Geneva has broadened her outlook “Geneva is an amazing and inspiring city,” she says. “Despite its modest size, it’s home to around 40 international organizations and nearly 475 NGOs, creating an atmosphere brimming with new initiatives.” One of the places she loves is the iconic Jet d’Eau: “It is not only beautiful but it radiates energy. Seeing it every morning fills me with vitality,” she shares enthusiastically. She also enjoys wandering around the Old Town: “It is so well preserved, with history at every corner. There are many places that have a link with Türkiye.” She points to the example of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who was born in Geneva. “His father Isaac, an artisan watchmaker, spent six years in Istanbul from 1705 to 1711 at the Ottoman court. It is believed that his account of the functioning of the Ottoman Empire had an influence on Rousseau’s political thinking.”
Looking ahead, Zeytinoğlu Özkan is focused on celebrating the centennial of the 1925 Treaty of Friendship between Türkiye and Switzerland. “Under the guidance of our Embassy in Bern, we are planning events through-out the year to highlight how enduring the Turkish-Swiss friendship is.” She notes Switzerland’s special significance in Turkish history: the Republic’s foundational Treaty of Lausanne was signed there, as was the 1936 Montreux Convention concerning the Turkish Straits. Even Türkiye’s Civil Code, adopted in 1926, drew upon Swiss law.
“Innovation was important at the founding of our friendship, and it remains crucial today,” she explains, referring to the centennial slogan, “100 Years of Friendship: Innovative Then, Now, and Tomorrow.” This spirit resonates deeply in Switzerland, which consistently ranks as the world’s most innovative country. Meanwhile, Türkiye is making its own strides in research, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Throughout her career, Zeytinoğlu Özkan has embraced cultural exchanges—sometimes quite literally through “culinary diplomacy.” She organizes events featuring Turkish coffee and cuisine, which she finds to be an effective way of sparking dialogue. “Turkish cuisine is very rich, diverse, and healthy. It reflects our culture and traditions, and people here appreciate the chance to experience it firsthand.”
As for being a woman in senior diplomatic posts, she acknowledges both the challenges and rewards. “This is not a nine-to-five job, but a way of life,” she admits. Yet she encourages young people not to let fear stop them from following in her footsteps. “Yes, adapting to different environments can be daunting, and balancing a diplomatic career with family life isn’t always easy. But if diplomacy is your passion, don’t be afraid to pursue it.”
After all, it is precisely the unpredict-able nature of international affairs—and the promise of building bridges—that keeps Zeytinoğlu Özkan inspired. “Setting sail for new destinations throughout your career is exciting,” she says, “and it keeps you engaged in the world.”
In 2025, as Türkiye and Switzerland celebrate a century of partnership, her hope is that cultural, economic, and environmental collaborations will deepen even further—ensuring that what began a hundred years ago continues to thrive, fuelled by mutual respect, genuine curiosity, and a shared commitment to innovation.
Photo credit: David Serkin
