Erdogan's choice to appoint Yasin Ekrem Serim as Turkey's “ambassador” to the pseudo-state targeted – He already took over the first two projects from the Turkish President – With specific instructions he went to the occupied – His shady past, which he tries to sweep under the carpet
The right man, in the right place, at the right time. That's what he thought. Erdogan appointing Yasin Ekrem Serimin the position of the illegal “ambassador” of Turkey in the occupied territories. The 38-year-old diplomat took over last week from Metin Feizioglu, who was appointed as the country's ambassador to Prague.
The outgoing “ambassador” was nearly ousted due to the displeasure of the opposition CHP, to which he formerly belonged. Feizioglu did not greet the party's President, Ozgur Ozel, during his presence at the provocative July 20 celebrations in the occupied territories. Ozel's protest came at a time when the Turkish President is trying to build bridges with the opposition on national issues, and so the removal of Feizioglu proceeded with summary procedures.
The outgoing one left… night, however the new illegal “ambassador” came in daylight and received a savior welcome. The choice of Ekrem Serim seems ideal for Ankara, as on the one hand she was seen with sympathy by the opposition and on the other hand it is a person who was for many years very close to Erdogan. The Turkish diplomat is also well received for the occupied territories, however this did not play a particular role in the selection of the President of Turkey.
Despite his young age (born on March 17, 1986), the Ekrem Serim already has a rich resume behind him. Public Administration and Political Science studies in occupied Kyrenia, then Business Administration studies at the University of Westminster and attending educational programs at Harvard University for negotiation techniques, communication and leadership.
He began his career as an adviser to the Turkish Ministry of the European Union in 2010. He then worked as an aide to the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister (under Erdogan in 2013-2014) and then served in a number of palace positions, such as adviser to the Turkish presidency and close associate of the Turkish Vice President.
In 2016, he was appointed as a chief adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, developed into the director of Cavusoglu's office and managed to rise to the position of Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey. All this, during the years when the Cyprus talks that led to Cran Montana were underway, with the young diplomat playing an important role in Turkish politics.
This is all he wants. Ekrem Serim to know about him. There is one more biography, which he himself tries to hide. In the occupied territories there is talk of an old special relationship that Serim's father had with Erdogan since he was the mayor of Istanbul. In the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press the father of the new “ambassador” is presented as the administrator of his “black fund” Turkish President.
In addition and parallel to his diplomatic career, the new “ambassador” and his family had close contacts and cooperation with the notorious businessman Halil Falgiali, who assassinated in 2022.Falgiali was allegedly a member of the Turkish parastatal and his name had been linked to many illegal activities in the occupied territories.
The media that published the information already received letters from Yasin Ekrem's lawyers. Serim to withdraw their texts. They invoke the legislation in force in Turkey to limit the freedom of the press. The new “ambassador” is trying to hide his past under the carpet, despite the fact that these are aspects that were even confirmed in discussions in the Turkish National Assembly.
As suspicious as the past is, the present is even more suspicious and the future of the Turkish diplomat is prescribed. Ekrem Serim is not a random choice as Erdoğan seems to have wanted to install in the occupied territories an experienced partner, loyal follower, who would be of his… hand. This is because the new “ambassador” of Turkey has already been called to manage two very important funds, as an obedient member of the Turkish government.
Since Ankara will not allow any developments in Cypriot, Ekrem Serim will initially focus on strengthening the dependence of the occupied on Turkey, alongside efforts to recognize the illegal formation. Secondly, he was called upon to manage on Erdogan's behalf the illegal “presidential” elections in the pseudo-state in October 2025. An important project for the Turkish President, who would not like to see things happen against his will.
