A Turkey-based cultural institute will open a new center in the Russian capital Moscow, its head said.
Şeref Ateş, president of Yunus Emre Institute, told Anadolu Agency that a building has already been rented in the Russian capital. "We will be opening our first office in Moscow," Ateş added.
Yunus Emre Institute provides services abroad to people, who want to learn the Turkish language, culture, and art. One of its aims is to improve Turkey's friendship with other countries and increase cultural exchanges.
He said that the agency aims to boost its centers across the world and open new centers in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
The process of opening new centers in South America including Brazil, Argentina and Mexico is in progress, he said. "Indonesia and Philippines in Eastern Asia are the other destinations, where new centers would be opened."
The agency has sped up its aim to open more centers especially after last year's defeated coup, he added.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
"We need to express ourselves [to the world]," Ates said. "For this reason, Yunus Emre Institutes would be the Turkey's gateway to the world."
Since it was established in 2009, the institute has taught Turkish to more than 99,000 people in 43 countries.
Named after the 13th century poet Yunus Emre, the institute now has nearly 54 cultural centers around the world offering artistic, social and scientific programs.
