Marsili: Italy Is A Supporter Of Turkey In Its Bid To Join The E.U.

KAYSERI - Italian Ambassador in Ankara Carlo Marsili has remarked today (Friday) that Italy is a sound supporter of Turkey in its bid to join the European Union (EU).
In a visit to central Anatolian city of Kayseri with his wife Selva Marsili, ambassador Marsili indicated that relations between Turkey and Italy are exceptionally well.
''Italian businessmen and investors are constantly searching for new business opportunities in Turkey. Kayseri is one of those Turkish cities that is open to new commercial ties,'' said Marsili.
Marsili pointed out that the trade volume between Turkey and Italy increased by 34 percent and reached a record amount of 11.5 billion U.S. dollars. ''Italy is Turkey's second biggest economic partner.''
Ambassador Marsili commented that most of the business transactions between Turkey and Italy take place in major cities as Istanbul and Izmit (Kocaeli). ''We are working on finding new markets in Anatolia. Our discussions with the Turkish Minister of Industry and Trade Ali Coskun and State Minister Kursad Tuzmen focused on Turkish cities that are offering various incentives for foreign investors. The Italians rank as the nation with the most investments in Gaziantep. We are confident that Kayseri will also offer similar incentives for the Italian investors. We will work in coordination with the Kayseri Chamber of Industry and Chamber of Trade.''
According to ambassador Marsili, the ties between Turkey and Italy are solid. ''Italy is a strong supporter of Turkey's membership in the EU. The consensus in Italy is in favor of Turkey's membership. The EU expanded into central Europe and northern Europe. We wish the EU to expand into the Mediterranean. My wife is a Turk. We have established the EU in our family and home.''
Kayseri's Governor Nihat Canpolat, in return, said that ambassador Marsili is ''Turkey's brother-in-law.''
Canpolat stressed that the firms in Kayseri do have quality certificates. ''To this day, none of our export products were returned. Doing business with Italy makes us very happy. We are hoping that our ties in the economic sphere will get stronger every day.''
After completing his talks with Canpolat, ambassador Marsili visited Kayseri's Mayor Mehmet Ozhaseki.
Mayor Ozhaseki remarked that trade has dominated the agenda of Kayseri natives for centuries. ''Kayseri is well equipped with its educated work force and offers many opportunities for foreign investors. In 2004, the construction of 139 factories began. Kayseri has entered the Guinness Book of World Records. If you do business with Kayseri, you would gain the appreciation and sympathy of thousands of Kayseri natives. An Italian firm won the tender of the Railway System. This firm will generate 50 million Euros income.''
Ozhaseki expressed his condolences over the demise of the late Pope John Paul II.
Ambassador Marsili informed Ozhaseki that the Italian society supports the reform process in Turkey.