MEETING WITH MAYOR BLOOMBERG OF NEW YORK

The 50th partnership anniversary between Ford Motor Company and Koc Group of Companies was celebrated in NY with a dinner gala.

The gala was organized by the American Turkish Society, headed by the successful businessman Ahmet Ertegun as the Honorary Chairman. Attending the gala Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York, stated that Turks and Americans shared common values throughout the world history just like the New York history and added "Turkey, Istanbul and New York are centers of religious tolerance".

Stating that he was the first Mayor to officially visit Istanbul a few years ago, Bloomberg added, "Istanbul is a magical city and our visit was an unforgettable experience".

Bloomberg added that 350 years ago, all nations that were given religious and cultural freedom were recorded one by one, and Turkey was named among these nations. He added "Turks are an inseparable part of New York".

Mr. Ross Wilson, the Ambassador of USA in Ankara, Mr. Nabi Sensoy, the Turkish Ambassador in DC were among the attendees of the gala.

Excerpts: Selim Atalay, NTVMSNBC 30/03/2006