ISTANBUL 2010 CULTURE CAPITAL OF EUROPE

European Parliament members Emma Bonino, Jorgo Chatzimar-kakiz, Joost Lagendijk, Vural Oger, Cem Ozdemir, Geoffrey von Orden and Camille Eurlings initialised a reception on 21st of March to promote and support Istanbul's candidacy as Culture Capital of Europe of 2010. The initiative's Advisory Board Chairman Mr. Egemen Bağış, Executive Board Chairman Mr. Nuri Çolakoğlu, members of the Executive Board, artists and some members of the media attended this event.

The generous efforts to make this mission to ascertain a success did pay-off. Istanbul and Turkey are no doubt, will not forget.

The same day a large scale Press conference was held at the European Parliament, informing international media as well as the Turkish writers and reporters that had accompanied the initiative members to Brussels on the question: "Why Istanbul". Turkey-EU Parliamentray Commission Chairman Joost Lagendijk stated that "Istanbul would be in the top 10 capitals of the world, let alone Europe."

The initiative members, artists and media members returned home following the press conference stating that the lobbying efforts were well organized and that Istanbul definitely has a weight over the competitor, Kiev.Geniş bilgi: www.istanbul2010.org