FORUM ISTANBUL 2012 CONFERENCE

Participating the opening ceremony of Forum Istanbul 2012 Conference, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that the Forum was strengthening the role of Turkey and Istanbul further.

Explaining that Istanbul as well as being the centre of different civilizations was progressing towards being an economic centre of the world, Bagis said that only he participated nearly 10 international organizations which were organized in Istanbul on behalf of the government during the last week.

Indicating that the authorities from Davos visited Mr. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he had explained that he would not participate in Davos through his ‘One minute’ expression, Bagis told: “They said our Prime Minister: ‘We know how determined you are. We don’t come here to invite you to Davos but we come for organising Davos here. Our Prime Minister said in response: ‘In our culture we couldn’t reject somebody from our doors. Come in.’ I hope we will say ‘One minute’ to the world problems in June.

Explaining that they considered Forum Istanbul as Turkey’s Davos, Minister Bagis continued his speech as follows:

“This forum has turned to strengthen the role of Turkey and Istanbul further. Today, Turkey has also reached a very different position. In the past, Turkey couldn’t foresee 12 hours later; now Turkey has become a country that can set targets for 12 years later, for the year 2023 which is the 100th anniversary of the foundation of our Republic. Owing to our government’s decisive reforms, we have increased the living standards of our country and nation and we have gained psychological superiority over those who don’t want Turkey in the European Union.

Source: AA