Philately
Turkey, Belgium in joint issue
by Kaya Dorsan
The Turkish Post Office (PTT) and the Belgian Post Office (La Poste-De Post) have jointly issued a series of stamps. The joint issue went on sale on June 22, 2005. The series consists of two stamps depicting examples of carpets from the two countries, which are Europe’s leading carpet manufacturers.
The stamps issued in Turkey are worth YKr60 and YKr70. The former shows a Hereke carpet with a modern design. The latter bears a picture of a wall carpet thought to have been produced in Brussels at the beginning of the sixteenth century. This carpet has a design which symbolizes the conflict between good and evil.
Of the stamps issued by Belgium, the Turkish carpet appeared on the €0.60 stamp and the Belgian carpet on the €0.44 stamp. The stamps issued in both countries have identical designs by MVTM & Jean Libert.
A long tradition
The tradition of joint issues is not new either in Turkey or in Belgium. Both countries have for a long time participated in joint issues with other European countries under the CEPT (Conférence Européen de Poste et Télécommunication) umbrella. Belgium first took part in 1956 and Turkey in 1958. In recent years, these stamps have become known as the “Europa” series. In the past, Turkey also issued joint stamps with its RCD partners Iran and Pakistan.
Since 1998, Turkey has issued stamps jointly with New Zealand, Kazakhstan and Hungary, for example, while Belgium has produced joint issues with many countries, notably Portugal. This year, the two countries’ philately paths have crossed.
Emphasising friendships
Joint stamp issues are unspectacular but significant activities which strengthen and consolidate the friendly ties among the countries. They also add variety to the lives of collectors. Any philatelist who collects only Belgian stamps will have at least one Turkish series in his collection too, and vice-versa.
Meanwhile, the PTT clearly intends to continue with joint issues. It is known to be preparing to produce joint stamps with Iran and Syria within the present year.
(DIPLOMAT - July 2005 - Ankara)