1. Introduction

As part of its long-standing commitment to supporting embassies, sovereign governments and international organisations operating in Türkiye, Bıçak Law Firm was honoured to participate in and contribute to a seminar organised in cooperation with the Ankara-Based African Diplomatic Corps. Bringing together ambassadors, diplomats and senior representatives from African embassies accredited to the Republic of Türkiye, the seminar focused on the legal and practical issues affecting diplomatic missions while exploring broader opportunities for institutional cooperation between Türkiye and African countries.

The event represented far more than a discussion of legal services. It provided an important forum for exchanging views on diplomatic practice, international cooperation and sustainable development at a time when Türkiye’s engagement with the African continent continues to expand across political, economic, commercial and educational sectors. The seminar also highlighted the increasingly important role that specialised legal services play in supporting embassies as they carry out their diplomatic, consular and administrative functions under Turkish law.

For Bıçak Law Firm, the seminar marked one of the defining milestones in the development of its dedicated Embassy and Diplomatic Legal Services practice. Since the event, the firm has continued to expand its cooperation with diplomatic missions through legal advisory services, legal-awareness programmes, international publications and institutional partnerships supporting embassies and international organisations throughout Türkiye.

2. Bringing Together the African Diplomatic Community

The seminar brought together 47 participants representing the Ankara-based African Diplomatic Corps, including ambassadors, diplomats and senior representatives from African embassies accredited to the Republic of Türkiye. The high level of participation demonstrated both the importance attached to legal cooperation by African diplomatic missions and the growing significance of Türkiye–Africa relations. The discussions reflected the practical realities faced by diplomatic missions operating abroad. While embassies primarily focus on diplomacy, consular affairs and the promotion of bilateral relations, they also encounter a wide range of legal issues governed by the domestic law of the receiving State. Employment of locally engaged personnel, acquisition and leasing of diplomatic premises, commercial contracts, procurement, regulatory compliance, taxation, dispute resolution and interaction with Turkish administrative authorities all require specialised legal advice combining knowledge of Turkish law with an understanding of diplomatic practice. Against this background, the seminar sought to create a platform where members of the diplomatic community could exchange experiences, identify common legal challenges and explore practical solutions through cooperation with experienced legal professionals.

3. Opening Remarks by the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps

The seminar opened with remarks by H.E. Ambassador Majok Guandong Thiep, Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan to the Republic of Türkiye and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Ankara. Ambassador Thiep reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to sustainable economic growth, social development and regional stability. He emphasised that many of the continent’s most pressing challenges – including climate change, food insecurity, youth unemployment and infrastructure development – require innovative and collaborative solutions built upon strong international partnerships. He further underlined the importance of international cooperation in promoting inclusive economic development, facilitating trade, strengthening peace and advancing the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030. His remarks highlighted the value of practical partnerships between African countries and Türkiye based on mutual respect, shared expertise and long-term institutional cooperation. These observations provided an important framework for the discussions that followed, emphasising that legal services should not be viewed solely as dispute-resolution mechanisms but also as tools supporting diplomacy, investment, sustainable development and institutional capacity building.

3. Legal Services for Diplomatic Missions in Türkiye

The seminar examined the broad range of legal issues affecting diplomatic missions operating in Türkiye. While the privileges and immunities enjoyed by diplomatic missions are governed by international law, embassies nevertheless interact extensively with Turkish domestic law in the course of their daily activities. Among the principal subjects discussed were:

• legal advisory services for embassies and diplomatic missions;
• employment of locally engaged staff;
• acquisition and leasing of diplomatic premises;
• commercial contracts and procurement;
• regulatory compliance;
• dispute prevention and dispute resolution;
• legal opinions and institutional advisory services;
• preventive legal education for embassy communities.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of preventive legal advice. Rather than becoming involved only after disputes arise, experienced legal advisers can assist diplomatic missions in identifying legal risks at an early stage, thereby facilitating smoother institutional operations and reducing the likelihood of future disputes. The discussions also recognised that diplomatic missions increasingly seek legal partners capable of providing practical, multidisciplinary advice responsive to the operational realities of embassies rather than purely academic legal analysis.

4. Country-Specific Perspectives on Future Cooperation

An important feature of the seminar was the opportunity for participating ambassadors and diplomatic representatives to present the priorities and development objectives of their respective countries. Rather than focusing solely on legal services, the discussions explored broader opportunities for cooperation between African nations and Turkish institutions in areas that could contribute to long-term economic and social development.

Representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Cameroon, among others, outlined country-specific priorities requiring international expertise and partnership. The discussions highlighted opportunities relating to agricultural mechanisation, education, healthcare, peace and security, youth empowerment, institutional governance and sustainable economic development.

These exchanges demonstrated that, while African countries share many common development challenges, each nation possesses distinct economic priorities, legal frameworks and institutional needs. Effective cooperation therefore requires tailored solutions rather than a uniform approach. The seminar encouraged continued dialogue between diplomatic missions, legal professionals, businesses and academic institutions capable of contributing specialised expertise within their respective fields.

For Bıçak Law Firm, these discussions reinforced the importance of understanding the broader policy objectives of diplomatic missions. Legal advisory services often form only one component of a wider framework of international cooperation involving trade, investment, education, development assistance and institutional partnerships. A legal adviser serving diplomatic missions must therefore appreciate not only legal rules but also the strategic objectives pursued by embassies on behalf of their governments.

5. Supporting Sustainable Development Through Legal Cooperation

Throughout the seminar, participants recognised that legal certainty plays an essential role in achieving sustainable economic development. Sound legal frameworks encourage investment, facilitate international trade, strengthen public institutions and contribute to the rule of law. For diplomatic missions, access to reliable legal advice supports both their institutional responsibilities and their broader efforts to promote bilateral cooperation.

Discussions also emphasised that many development initiatives involve complex legal considerations. Infrastructure projects, foreign investment, public procurement, employment relationships, land acquisition, commercial contracts and regulatory compliance all require careful legal planning to ensure successful implementation. Effective legal services therefore contribute not only to dispute resolution but also to preventing legal risks before they arise.

This preventive approach reflects the philosophy adopted by Bıçak Law Firm in its diplomatic practice. Rather than limiting legal support to litigation or isolated legal questions, the firm seeks to assist diplomatic missions throughout the entire life cycle of their operations in Türkiye by providing practical legal guidance that supports informed decision-making, institutional continuity and long-term cooperation. The seminar further demonstrated that legal professionals can play an important facilitating role in international cooperation by helping public institutions, diplomatic missions and private-sector organisations navigate differing legal systems while identifying practical solutions that promote mutually beneficial partnerships.

6. Bıçak Law Firm’s Growing Embassy and Diplomatic Practice

The seminar represented an important milestone in the continuing development of Bıçak Law Firm’s dedicated practice serving embassies, consulates, sovereign governments and international organisations operating in Türkiye. Since the seminar, the firm’s diplomatic practice has expanded considerably. Today, Bıçak Law Firm advises diplomatic missions on a broad range of legal matters, including employment law, diplomatic real estate, commercial contracts, procurement, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, legal opinions and institutional advisory services. The firm has also developed practical legal publications addressing issues frequently encountered by diplomatic missions, including locally engaged staff, diplomatic vehicles and diplomatic real estate.

Beyond legal advisory services, Bıçak Law Firm has continued to work proactively with diplomatic missions through legal-awareness programmes designed specifically for foreign communities residing in Türkiye. These initiatives have included legal training organised in cooperation with the Royal Thai Embassy, the Embassy of the Philippines, and the Embassy of Chile, reflecting the firm’s commitment to preventive legal education and community engagement. The firm’s ongoing participation in diplomatic events—including national day receptions, business delegations and institutional meetings organised by foreign embassies—has further strengthened its understanding of the operational realities facing diplomatic missions. This combination of practical legal experience, international perspective and continuing engagement enables Bıçak Law Firm to provide legal services that extend well beyond traditional legal representation.

7. Building Long-Term Partnerships with African Diplomatic Missions

One of the most valuable outcomes of the seminar was the establishment of long-term professional relationships with members of the African diplomatic community in Türkiye. Rather than viewing the seminar as an isolated event, Bıçak Law Firm has continued to develop these relationships through ongoing dialogue, legal cooperation and participation in diplomatic initiatives. The firm’s subsequent cooperation with African diplomatic missions – including its continuing relationship with the Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan and participation in initiatives supporting African business delegations – illustrates the long-term value of sustained engagement built upon professionalism, mutual respect and practical cooperation.

As Türkiye continues to strengthen its political, commercial and institutional relations with African countries, the need for specialised legal services supporting diplomatic missions is expected to grow. Employment matters, commercial activities, investment projects, regulatory compliance and institutional cooperation will increasingly require legal advisers capable of combining technical expertise with an understanding of diplomatic practice and international relations. Bıçak Law Firm remains committed to contributing to these developments by supporting embassies, sovereign governments and international organisations through responsive legal services, legal-awareness programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives that facilitate stronger cooperation between Türkiye and African countries.

8. Looking Ahead: Strengthening Türkiye – Africa Diplomatic and Legal Cooperation

The seminar with the African Diplomatic Corps represented far more than a discussion on legal services. It demonstrated the value of continuous dialogue between diplomatic missions, legal professionals, businesses and academic institutions committed to strengthening cooperation between Türkiye and African countries. As diplomatic relations continue to expand, embassies increasingly require legal advisers who understand not only Turkish law but also the operational realities of diplomatic missions. Modern diplomatic institutions regularly deal with employment matters, commercial activities, real estate transactions, procurement, regulatory compliance, dispute prevention and institutional governance. Addressing these issues effectively requires legal advice that is practical, responsive and internationally oriented.

Since the seminar, Bıçak Law Firm has continued to expand its dedicated Embassy and Diplomatic Legal Services practice by advising embassies and sovereign governments operating in Türkiye while publishing practical legal guidance designed specifically for diplomatic missions. The firm has also organised legal-awareness programmes in cooperation with foreign embassies, participated in diplomatic events and strengthened its professional relationships with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from around the world.

Our continuing cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan, together with our work with the embassies of Thailand, the Philippines, Chile, Spain, Italy, Paraguay, Uganda, Egypt, Tanzania, Romania, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan, reflects our long-term commitment to serving the diplomatic community in Türkiye. These experiences have enabled us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the legal, institutional and operational challenges faced by diplomatic missions while providing practical legal solutions tailored to their unique needs.

As Türkiye’s diplomatic, commercial and institutional engagement with Africa continues to grow, legal cooperation will become increasingly important in supporting sustainable investment, international trade and cross-border partnerships. Bıçak Law Firm remains committed to contributing to this process by providing high-quality legal services, promoting legal awareness and encouraging constructive dialogue between diplomatic missions, public institutions and the international business community.

9. Conclusion

The Seminar with the African Diplomatic Corps remains one of the defining milestones in the development of Bıçak Law Firm’s diplomatic practice. Bringing together ambassadors, diplomats and institutional representatives from across the African continent, the event demonstrated the importance of combining legal expertise with international cooperation, mutual understanding and long-term professional engagement.

Today, the principles discussed during the seminar continue to guide our work. Through legal advisory services, preventive legal education, international publications and ongoing collaboration with embassies and international organisations, Bıçak Law Firm seeks to provide practical legal solutions that support diplomatic missions in fulfilling their responsibilities under Turkish law while strengthening bilateral relations between Türkiye and their respective countries.

We are honoured by the trust placed in our firm by diplomatic missions accredited to the Republic of Türkiye and remain committed to building enduring partnerships based on professionalism, responsiveness and mutual respect. As our Embassy and Diplomatic Legal Services practice continues to grow, we look forward to supporting the diplomatic community through legal excellence, knowledge-sharing and meaningful international cooperation.