BURSA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Abdullah Gul said they started initiatives to make Bursa a 'commerce center' in the framework of Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization (BSEC), on Saturday.
Gul is in northwestern city of Bursa for attending several groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies.
Gul paid a visit to the governor of Bursa Nihat Canpolat in his office as well.
After he informed Gul regarding the investments and problems of the city, Canpolat said they applied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to make Bursa a trade center during Turkey's rotating presidency in BSEC.
Turkey will take over presidency as of May 2007 and there will be a big summit meeting for the 15th foundation anniversary of BSEC in Istanbul.
FM Gul stated that they see Black Sea as a wide region and continued "some MPs came to us saying 'lets announce Bursa as a trade center in the framework of Black Sea Cooperation.' We support this as the Ministry. We started initiatives in this respect." After reminding that decisions are taken jointly in BSEC, which is an international organization, Gul said, "I believe other member states will also be pleased with such offer."