His Excellency Melih Karalar has presented his Letter of Credence to the Member of the Council of Deputies of the Independent State of Samoa, Susuga Malietoa Moli II Malietoa.
The credentials ceremony was held on Thursday morning, 21 May 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Apia.
The presentation formally accredits H.E. Karalar as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to the Independent State of Samoa. He will be based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Samoa and Türkiye established diplomatic relations in April 1979. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, relations between the two countries have continued on the basis of mutual respect and shared commitments through the United Nations, including work connected to sustainable development.
Ambassador Karalar reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening relations with Samoa and the wider Pacific region.
He also referred to Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 in Antalya in November this year, and the Pacific initiative to host a pre-COP meeting in October, as opportunities for closer cooperation on climate action.
Susuga Malietoa Moli II Malietoa acknowledged Türkiye’s commitment to climate action through its role as host of COP31.
He also expressed confidence that Ambassador Karalar’s appointment would further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Samoa and Türkiye.
H.E. Melih Karalar is a career diplomat and has held several senior roles within Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including positions in human resources, administrative and financial affairs, and as Deputy Director General for Human Resources.
He has also served in Türkiye’s overseas diplomatic missions, including Addis Ababa, Manila, Munich, Wellington and Sydney. His previous roles include Attaché, Third Secretary, Vice Consul, First Secretary, Counsellor, and Consul-General of Türkiye in Sydney.
This article is based on a press release issued by Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
