PARIS - Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived in France Sunday evening to address the general assembly of the Bureau of International Exhibitions (BIE).
Turkey will promote Aegean province of Izmir's candidacy for EXPO 2015 at the BIE meeting.
Prior to his departure from Ankara, Gul told reporters, "the main target of my visit to France is to promote Izmir's candidacy to EXPO 2015. There will be a great activity in Izmir and the whole region till 2015 if they decide to hold EXPO 2015 in Izmir. This is the project of whole Turkey, not only Izmir."
Gul recalled that Turkey announced its candidacy in Milan, Italy, stating that Turkey attended almost all the 63 universal exhibitions.
"Millions of tourists go to the country where the EXPO organizations take place. The organization will continue for 6 months," Gul said noting that, "I will be in an effort to contribute to the promotion of Izmir's candidacy. The government also supports this organization."
The Expo, which is known as a universal exhibition or world fair, is a non-profit event aiming to contribute to humanity through international participation and sharing of experiences.
Organized in 1851 in London for the first time, the 6-month-long organization is held once in every five years. Despite its non-profit status, the event draws large numbers of tourists to host cities and leads to abundant tourist revenues. Turkish officials say, they expect 80 million tourists to Izmir which is bidding under the theme "New Routes to a Better World/Health for All".
BIE member countries will vote and choose the host city on March 31st, 2008.