IZMIR - Consuls of Germany, Italy, Greece and the U.S. in western Izmir province who attended the EU-Turkey Relations meeting, proposed Turkish businessmen to promote Izmir together on Wednesday.
Addressing the meeting which was held by Aegean Young Businessmen Association (EGIAD), Italian Consul to Izmir Michelle Tomassi said that he launched intensive efforts to promote Aegean region in Italy. Noting that they tried to bring more Italian investors to the region, Tomassi said that the two countries should make cooperation to promote Izmir and western region of Turkey. Tomassi said that 30 Italian companies worked in the region and they were very pleased with it, adding that EU membership would bring stability to both Europe and also to Turkey.
German Consul to Izmir Ralf Breth said that he believed that Turkey would solve its problems regarding its EU membership bid until December this year. Breth said that they could congratulate the negotiation date which Turkey could get in December.
Greek Consul to Izmir Evangelos Sekeris said that they would like to congratulate Turkey's getting negotiation date from EU in December.
U.S. Consul to Izmir said in his part that businessmen should put pressure on the government to continue undertaking reforms for its EU membership bid, adding that U.S. supported Turkey's EU membership.
EGIAD Executive Board President Fatih Dalan said in his part that consuls in Izmir had important roles to play for Turkey's EU membership.
(Öª-AY) 21.01.2004