ANKARA - "Mersin (a southern city of Turkey) is the pearl of the Mediterranean. Mersin`s people have been lobbying to be the host city of 17th Mediterranean Games," said Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen.
Delivering a speech at a meeting that was also attended by ambassadors of Arab countries and held to promote Mersin`s candidacy for 17th Mediterranean Games, Tuzmen said Mersin has been a commercial hub for centuries in Mediterranean basin.
Noting that people of Mersin have been carrying out lobbying activities to host 17th Mediterranean Games regardless of political party affiliation, Tuzmen said "this is the picture I want to see. I will do my best to support this synergy."
Mersin will compete with Greece`s Valos and Croatia`s Rijeka to be the host city of 17th Mediterranean Games.