Avenue Named As Ataturk In Belgium

BRUSSELS (A.A) - 18.05.2002 - An avenue was named as ''Ataturk'' in Belgium on Saturday. This is the first time that an avenue is named ''Ataturk'' in Europe.
One of the biggest avenue in Cheratte town of Vise city of Belgium where many Turks are living was changed as Avenue Ataturk.
Turks started to live in Belgium as of 1955. Turkish people started to live in and around Cheratte, where mine pits were active, since 1963. Turks, who contributed to social and economic life in Cheratte since the mine pits in the region were closed in 1977, continued their existence in the region afterwards.
Liege State Governor Paul Boland and Vise Mayor Marcel Neven said that the avenue was the symbol of friendship with the Turks and Turkey.
Representatives of Turkish community said that they were proud of this development.
Neven said that this was the first time that an avenue in Western Europe was named ''Ataturk'' and that they attributed importance to not only adaptation of Turkish community with Belgium but also preservation of their cultural ties with Turkey.
Turkey and Turks reached an honorable, modern and efficient level thanks to Ataturk, Neven noted.
Neven said that Ataturk was a pacifist and that it was not a coincidence that rival Greek people showed Ataturk as a nominee for Nobel Peace Prize.
Turkish women gained social and political rights before many West European women and Belgian people thanks to Ataturk, Neven stated.
Neven pointed out that they were proud of keeping the memory of a person like Ataturk alive there.