EU MINISTRY SENDS AID TO SOMALIA

The first part of the aid collected by the staff of the Ministry for European Union Affairs for Somalia was presented to Burhan Kulunk, Kizilay's Executive Committee Member by Egemen Bagis at the beginning of the iftar dinner organized by the Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis and his Spouse Beyhan Bagis.

Members of TGNA Foreign Affairs Commission, EU Harmonization Commission and EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission, Ambassadors of the EU member states, Ambassadors of Islamic Cooperation Organization member states, EU contact points of public institutions, Ankara representatives of media organizations, diplomatic reporters, representatives of different faith groups, the staff of the Ministry for EU Affairs and Center for European Union Education and Youth Programmes attended the iftar dinner held in Ankara Bilkent Otel.

In his speech during the dinner, Minister Bagis implied that Turkey had once more demonstrated its difference and said: "After the call of Mr. Prime Minister, all public institutions, political parties, non-governmental organizations, communities of different faith groups, our entire nation were mobilized to extend a helping hand to the Somalian and African people. In return for Mr. Prime Minister's call, we are the first Ministry to launch the aid campaign. The staff of our Ministry has contributed to this campaign as much as they can. Tonight we present our aids to Kizilay with a symbolic truck load of basic foodstuff."

Minister Bagis indicated that Turkey had never considered Somalia as a state interest and said "We are trying to share the sorrows of those suffering in Somalia because the value of a human's life is beyond anything."

Minister Bagis presented the first part of the aid collected by the Ministry for EU Affairs.

Source: AA