Carlo Marsili, former Italian Ambassador to Ankara, was the guest on the final episode of the mini-series “Eylül Aşkın İle,” hosted by Eylül Aşkın. The episode, filmed at Circolo degli Esteri in Rome, focused on the importance of soft power in cultural diplomacy.

He Served in Ankara Between 2004-2010

Carlo Marsili served as Italy’s Ambassador to Ankara between 2004 and 2010. Marsili mentioned that during his tenure, there was a lack of practices—or they were not yet popularized or well-known—for obtaining concrete data to measure the impact of soft power in cultural diplomacy. He advocated the view that public opinion is influential in political activities.

He Served 3 Extra Years Because His Wife is Turkish

Carlo Marsili stated that because his wife is Turkish, his tenure in Turkey, which was normally scheduled to end in 2007, was extended by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan himself.

Carlo Marsili, who was more readily embraced by the Turkish people because his wife is Turkish, was directly told “Let him stay” by then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Marsili also confessed in an off-camera conversation that during his time in Turkey, some nationalist ministers agreed to see him in their offices only after learning his wife was Turkish.

This clearly demonstrates that the existence of a common or similar culture creates a softer and more unifying effect in diplomacy, fostering more positive perceptions within society that the official in post can understand them.

“Spend Two Days in Turkey, Your Opinion Will Change.”

Carlo Marsili emphasized that the real Turkey is not sufficiently known or is misunderstood by Europe, pointing out that the biggest reason for this is Turkey’s failure in self-promotion. Saying, “Spend two days in Turkey, and your opinion will change,” Marsili called on European citizens, suggesting that Europeans who have the opportunity to experience Turkey firsthand will encounter a positive picture, contrary to Turkey’s negative image in Europe.

Italians in Turkey are Interested in Italian Cultural Center Activities

Carlo Marsili stated that Italians living in Turkey regularly attend and/or show great interest in activities promoting Italian culture organized in Turkey. He also noted that participation rates in events specifically organized for Italians are quite high.

“Suspicion Sometimes Turns into a Struggle Between Countries.”

Underlining that conflicts between countries can sometimes be based on suspicion arising from not knowing what the other side thinks, Carlo Marsili said, “Cultural diplomacy cannot solve all international crises, but it can help alleviate them.”

“There is Great Sympathy Between Italian and Turkish Cultures.”

“Even now, whenever I go to Turkey, I always see this happiness,” said Carlo Marsili, underlining the positive atmosphere between Turkey and Italy. He stated that the two countries positively influence each other in their cultural relations.