BURSA - Consul General of Israel in Istanbul, Mordehai Amihai, paid a visit of courtesy to the Governor of north-western province of Bursa Sahabettin Harput on Tuesday.
Amihai was accompanied by Israeli Commercial Attache Doron Abrahamiz and Cultural Attache Batia Keinan.
Thanking Harput for his hospitality, Amihai stressed that "Bursa is an important city for Israel."
Pointing out that relations between Turkey and Israel are developing rapidly in all fields, Amihai said "Turkey plays an important stabilizing role in the region."
"Commercial ties between Turkey and Israel are also developing rapidly. Last year, the trade volume between Turkey and Israel was worth around three billion USD," Amihai said.
"Turkey has a prominent role as a tourist attraction for Israeli tourists. Around half a million Israeli tourists visited Turkey in 2007," Amihai said.
"Bursa is an important city for the Jews. For over 300 years, Jews have been living in Bursa," Amihai noted.
Governor Harput indicated that Turkey has strong economic, commercial, military and political ties with Israel.
"Peace in the region is important for the future and welfare of the region. Turkey`s good relations with Israel would contribute to the region. With its richness, Bursa is an attractive city for Israel. Many Israeli tourists visit Bursa every year. Following Amihai`s current visit to Bursa, we expect Turkish-Israeli relations to further develop," Harput added.
(SOL-CE)
(DIP)