PARIS - Turkish President Abdullah Gul participated Monday in a reception Italian city of Milan hosted in French capital of Paris for it has won the bid to host EXPO 2015.
Turkey`s Aegean province of Izmir competed with Milan in Monday`s vote at the Bureau of International Exhibitions (BIE) to become the venue of the EXPO --third largest event in the world in terms of economic and cultural impact, after the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. However, Izmir won only 65 votes, and lost the bid against Milan that got 86 votes.
Turkish FM Ali Babacan and State Minister Kursad Tuzmen accompanied President Gul in the reception.
Gul had a brief talk with Italian PM Romano Prodi, and congratulated him on his country`s victory.
President Gul is expected to depart France for Turkey later on Monday.
(BRC)