WASHINGTON

First "Turkish Cypriot Day" was celebrated at the US Congress on Tuesday.
Around 230 Congress members and staff had a chance to meet with Turkish Cypriot-Americans and enjoyed the rich history and culture of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Hosted by the Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA), the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), Turkish American Community Centers (TACC), American Turkish Association of Washington DC (ATADC), Maryland American Turkish Association (MATA), Mobile Turkish Coffee House and the Northern Cyprus Cultural Society (NCCS), Turkish Cypriot coffee, Hellim cheese and sample dishes from the country's distinguished cuisine were served at the event held at the Rayburn building of the Congress.  
Guests said that they were impressed by the music and the delicious cuisine.  
TRNC's Ambassador to the US, Ahmet Erdengiz told AA correspondent that they enjoyed a very successful "Turkish Cypriot Day" and thanked the Turkish-American associations for their support. 
He said that they had a chance to talk about the TRNC with the Congress members and staff. Erdengiz stated it was very important that "most guests got information directly about the TRNC for the first time" and added that he was happy to make new friends at the Congress that they could visit and tell the story of Turkish Cypriots.
ATAA board member Gunay Evinch told AA correspondent that the members of the "Congressional Caucus on US-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans" as one of the biggest caucuses in the Congress with 157 members, helped them organize the event. 
Reminding the influence of the congressional staff on the congress members, Evinch cited staff saying that "congressmen say 'yes' to everything, we say 'no' to everything, but we started saying 'yes' to Turkish people because we get to know Turks and Turkey better". 
He added that there had been a big interest towards Turkey.