IZMIR EXPO 2020 PRESENTATION MADE IN PARIS
Egemen Bağış Paris'teThe presentation of “Izmir's EXPO 2020” candidacy was made in the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) in Paris with the participation of the Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis.
Izmir’s EXPO delegation of 40 members headed by Minister Bagis, included Mustafa Toprak, Governor of Izmir-Chairman of EXPO 2020 Izmir Steering Board and Executive Committee; Aziz Kocaoglu, Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality; Temel Kotil, General Manager of Turkish Airlines.
At his speech during the presentation, Minister Bagis said, “It is an honour for me to be representing my country in Izmir’s 2020 World Expo bid as the Minister for EU Affairs of Turkey. I believe the 2020 World Expo in Izmir would promote the very founding principles of the EU on the international stage through Turkey. Izmir is the city with something to offer to everyone. No matter who you are or where you’re from. If Izmir was to win the bid, all can rest assured that Izmir will also forever leave her mark on the world stage. Turkey is a hundred per cent behind Izmir’s bid with its Government, Governorship, Municipality, NGOs and private sector.”
Bakan Bağış, EXPO 2020 İzmir Genel Sekreterliği’nin yemeğine katıldıMinister Bagis stated that hosting worldwide organizations had become a desire for Turkey and he continued, “Our aim is to take the level up a notch with EXPO 2020 in Izmir. An EXPO in Izmir would be an EXPO in a city with a thousand years of historic legacy, an EXPO in Izmir would be the one in a country with one of the youngest populations in the world and certainly the youngest in Europe.”
Mustafa Toprak, Governor of Izmir and Temel Kotil, General Manager of Turkish Airlines also made a speech during the presentation.
The city which will organise EXPO 2020 will be selected after the voting in November 2013.
Within the context of his programme in France, Minister Bagis also met with Thierry Repentin, Minister Delegate for European Affairs.
Source: AA, IHA, CHA
