BAGIS ACCOMPANIES PM ERDOGANAND FM GUL INSPECTING THE FUNICULAR SYSTEM

Prime Minister Erdogan departed for his office in Besiktas after he sent King Abdullah off from Ataturk Airport last week. Accompanying him were Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Abdullah Gül and Istanbul Deputy Egemen Bagis along with a group of other colleagues. Erdogan stopped the convoy while passing by the Taksim – Kabatas funicular system in Mr. Bagis's electoral district. The group travelled to Taksim using the funicular system.

During the trip, Erdogan asked for technical information about the system which was completed on June 29th. The staff noted that the traffic problems in Istanbul are expected to be reduced greatly with the help of this system. They also added that the usage of the system will become widespread in time, serving 60.000 passengers instead of the current 20.000.

Exiting the system in Taksim, Erdogan chatted with citizens in Taksim. A water-boy intended to sell water to Mr. Erdogan. Egemen Bagis bought all the water the kid had to sell and had them handed out to the citizens. Upon increasing demands to Mr. Bagis, who was taking pictures of Mr. Erdogan with the citizens upon their requests, Mr. Erdogan teasing Mr. Bagis uttered "you're good at these things".

After their visit to Taksim, the group travelled back to Kabatas, again by the funicular system, and then to the office in Besiktas.