ANKARA
Turkey's Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis received Tuesday international students who are in Turkey for the 11th Turkish Olympics.
Bagis came together with several international students from countries including Malawi, Iraq, Togo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt at his ministry in Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday.
Students who are in Turkey to attend programs where they stage Turkish folk dances, read poems and sing songs in the scope of the Turkish Olympics which is organized by International Turkish Language Association (TURKCEDER).
Turkish Minister Bagis said that they cheer up and get very happy when they watch the performances of international students.
He said, “We attach high value on you as you both represent your countries and now you have become like diplomats of Turkey as you learn the language of this country. Through you, we look at the future with such hope.”
Minister Bagis underscored that the Turkish Olympics was running for 11 years now and all activities were held in Turkey so far. He added, “I hope that Turkish Olympics can be held in different world cities such as Ashgabat, Sulaymaniyah, Sarajevo, Berlin, Munich and Paris in the next coming up years. There are 5.5 million Turkish language speakers in Europe as well as Turkish learners like you do. Nowadays, Turkish language has became one of the most important languages of the EU as well.”
Some of the students performed Turkish songs during the meeting.
Two thousand students from 140 countries take part at the 11th Turkish Olympics events which will continue until June 16 in more than 50 Turkish provinces.
Furthermore, upon a question of press member, Bagis assessed the top topic of the Turkish agenda, Gezi Park protests.
He said, the necessary and appropriate statement was made by Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc earlier on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, some malevolent people tried to took advantage of the message of bona fide people. As the phrase goes, marks and traces have been mixed at this environment. However, Turkey is a very strong country which has got over many other challenges,” said Minister Bagis.
He stated, Turkey was a country with such strong government and added, “Nobody should doubt cause the country is in safe hands. With the leadership of our Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we will come over these problems by the best way. And that Turkey will move forward to much brighter future.”
He underlined that there were some people who had factious attempts who would not receive any replies and stressed, “In the peace process, everybody has to show understanding to each other. People have to be bit more tolerant."
