BAGIS SUPPORTS THE CANDIDACY TO HOST 2016 EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis received the President of the Turkish Football Federation Mahmut Ozgener, Vice President of the Turkish Football Federation Lutfi Aribogan, the Secretary General of the Federation Ahmet Guvener and the accompanying delegation in the Secretariat General for EU Affairs.

In his speech he made at the reception Bagis indicated that the Turkish Football Federation had a special meaning for him since his late brother Nuzhet Kiper Bagis had been the Deputy Secretary General of the Turkish Football Federation. Bagis said: "It is special for me to host here the people with whom my deceased brother had worked together for 23 years. I thank the President for his visit. The Turkish Football Federation has important projects for 2016. In order to prove that Turkey is integrated with Europe, we are ready to support them by any means. I wish you all success'

The President of the Turkish Football Federation Ozgener thanked Mr. Bagis for his sincere approach. Ozgener also said:

'I thank Mr. Minister for clearly explaining the importance of 2016 for Turkey. We were also candidates to host 2008 and 2012 Championships. We had the best technical dossier for 2012 candidacy. For 2016, we believe that our chance is greater than ever. We want Turkey to have the third biggest sports organization of the world. We do not think that it is only related to football. In this process, we expect the support of everybody. According to the decision to be given on 28 May 2010, we will endeavour to duly host this championship.'

Bagis and Ozgener presented each other with the pins of EUSG and Turkish Football Federation.

Source: AA