IZMIR’S CANDIDACY TO EXPO 2020

Stating that the candidateship of Izmir to Expo 2020 was not only important for the city itself but it was also very important for Turkey, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said: “If Izmir hosts Expo 2020, some prejudices regarding Turkey will have been eliminated. Those prejudices are the most important obstacles in front of Turkey’s EU accession process. I hope Izmir becomes the host for Expo 2020 and thus Turkey’s EU accession process facilitates.

Referring to Izmir’s candidateship to Expo 2020 during his visit to Mustafa Toprak, the Governor of Izmir, Bagis stated that he was so pleased to have participated in, together with the representatives from Izmir, the presentation held in the Bureau of International Exhibitions in Paris on 12 January.

Stating that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also supported that project, Egemen Bagis said the following:

“Ministry for EU Affairs will contribute to the project. Izmir’s becoming a host to the Expo 2020 is also one of the concerns of our Ministry. If Izmir hosts Expo 2020, some prejudices regarding Turkey will have been eliminated. Those prejudices are the most important obstacles in front of Turkey’s EU accession process. I hope Izmir becomes the host for Expo 2020 and thus Turkey’s EU accession process facilitates. This will also pave the way for Istanbul to host the olympiads. This will eliminate the efforts of some foreign lobbies who wants to damage the image of Turkey. For this reason, I attach importance to working together in this process.”