IZMIR - Turkey's accession to the European Union (EU) would be for EU's benefit, Italian Ambassador to Turkey Carlo Marsini said on Wednesday.
Five-star Mediterranea ship of Italian Costa Crociere company with 2,600 passengers came to Aegean Izmir province.
Marsini, Italian Consul in Izmir Michele Tommasi, Costa Crociere's Executive Board Chairman Pier Luigi Foschi, Turkish-Italian Chamber of Commerce Chairman Rebii Akdurak visited Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) Chairman Ekrem Demirtas.
In the meeting, Marsini said that Italian companies were interested much in Turkey and Aegean Region.
Rapprochement between Turkish and Italian administrators was reflected on the business world, Marsini noted.
Marsini said that he was married to a Turkish woman and noted that he loved Turks very much.
Political, economic, social and cultural changes made in Turkey in recent years approached the country closer to Europe, Marsini pointed out.
Marsini expressed belief that the EU would give a date to start full membership negotiations with Turkey at the end of 2004.
Italy had always supported Turkey's EU accession, Marsini emphasized.
Marsini said that those who did not want Turkey in Europe were either illiterate or wicked-minded.
Italian Ambassador to Turkey Marsini expressed belief that the EU would keep its promise and give a negotiation date to Turkey at the end of the year.
Turkey was the second commercial partner of Italy last year, Marsini said.
Marsini noted that trade volume had reached 9 billion U.S. dollars between two countries.
Visits of Italian administrators to Turkey would further improve bilateral relations, Marsini stated.
Marsini said that cruises of Costa Crociere company to Izmir would contribute to future of Izmir.
Costa Crociere's Executive Board Chairman Pier Luigi Foschi said that the company was organizing tours to Istanbul, Aegean Kusadasi, Marmaris and Bodrum towns.
Foschi noted that Costa Mediterranea would come to Izmir for 40 times this year and bring 100 thousand tourists.
The Costa Mediterranea is 292 meters in length and can carry 2,860 passengers. There are two restaurants, 12 bars, buffet, theater hall, ball hall, two-storey disco, casino and shops on the ship.
Also, there are four pools, four Jacuzzis, one gymnastics hall and one fitness center on the ship.
(BRC) 19.05.2004