TURKEY PREPARES FOR EUROPALIA

Preparations are now underway after the selection of Turkey as the guest country of 2015 Europalia Festival, one of Europe’s major cultural events.

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis hosted Marc Trenteseau, new Ambassador of Belgium to Turkey, at the Ministry for EU Affairs. Wishing Trenteseau success on his new position, Minister Bagis commented on Turkey's selection as a guest country for Europalia 2015 after China and India.

Minister Bagis said that they attached great importance to Belgium’s support for Turkey’s EU membership process and regarded Turkey’s selection for Europalia 2015 as a nice gesture of Belgium. Stating that Europalia had already hosted other big countries like China and India, Minister Bagis said “Now Turkey was selected rightfully as the guest country for 2015, a time in which we lay special emphasis. As the Ministry for EU Affairs, we are intensively working for the preparations together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The 25th Europalia International Art Festival will host Turkey in 2015, which will mark its 45th anniversary of its foundation. On this occasion, Turkey is expected to showcase its cultural values once again to Europe and to the world through a rich and comprehensive programme.

Source: CHA