Canada to use traditional spelling of ‘Türkiye’ following UN move

In December last year, Erdogan ordered that “Made in Türkiye” be used on exported products to more authentically reflect the country’s culture.

In communications from the Global Affairs department this week, Ottawa reverted to the authentic spelling.

The move followed an “official notification of name change to the United Nations and subsequently, to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada” in June, Global Affairs said.

“Canada respects the wishes of the Republic of Türkiye (formerly the Republic of Turkey) to be formally known as Türkiye as opposed to “Turkey” in English and “Turquie” in French,” said Sabrina Williams, a Global Affairs spokeswoman.

The country was called Türkiye in 1923 after the newly formed Republic proclaimed its independence, with Mustafa Kemal as its first president.

It has been increasingly flexing its muscles on the international stage including over the proposed accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO.

Erdogan has threatened to veto the entry of the Nordic nations to the military alliance if they do not extradite suspects with links to outlawed Kurdish groups.

Canada this week became the first country to ratify Finland and Sweden’s request to join NATO.

But all 30 members must approve their bid for membership which followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2022.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Canada to use traditional spelling of ‘Türkiye’ following UN move

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