A bilateral cooperation protocol was signed between Yunus Emre Institute and the Hak  İşçi Trade Unions Confederation (HAK-İŞ) on the activities to be carried out at international level in social and cultural areas. With the protocol, Yunus Emre Institute will promote Turkey through cultural and social collaborations with foreign trade unions and non-governmental organizations via HAK-İŞ.

The signing ceremony held at the Confederation headquarters was attended by Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, Chairman of HAK-İŞ Mahmut Arslan and related parties.

Speaking at the ceremony, HAK-İŞ Chairman Arslan emphasized that the collaboration between Yunus Emre Institute  and HAK-İŞ is a necessity for Turkish culture, country and Turkey's reputation abroad. Arslan said that despite being a new institution, Institute has significant achievements in introducing Turkey to the world, and it has participated in the advisory committee. Arslan spoke as follows; "We in fact are making an exciting collaboration with Institute. With this protocol, we will work together for trade unions and non-governmental organizations to learn Turkish culture and language."

Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Ateş stated that they are active across the world to promote Turkey more closely and these activities are carried out in order to enhance Turkey's reputation.

Stating that Institute was founded in 2009 and has 55 centres all over the world, Prof. Dr. Ateş said, "There are a number of foreign trade unions with which HAK-İŞ is connected, and they are interested in Turkey. We would like to support Turkey's promotion at this point." Ateş said that they signed this agreement not only for Turkish instruction but also to carry out promotional activities with HAK-İŞ abroad in every subject and that he values this cooperation to further strengthen Turkey, established between the two institutions although they seem like very different institutions.

Signature protocol ceremony ended after Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş and HAK-İŞ Chairman Mahmut Arslan both signed the protocol.