Turkish delegation warmly welcomed in Arkansas

A delegation from the Turkish Parliament over the weekend met with officials in Little Rock, the capital of the US state of Arkansas. Many officials from Arkansas showed great interest in the reception.

A reception was held on Sunday by a Türkevi (Turkish House) in Little Rock to improve friendly relations with Turkey. Many high-level officials from Turkey participated in the reception, including Özlem Türköne, an İstanbul deputy from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party); AK Party Malatya deputy Mehmet Şahin; Vahit Kirişçi, chairman of the parliamentary Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission and AK Party Adana deputy; AK Party Giresun deputy Nurettin Canikli; and AK Party deputy from Samsun Fatih Öztürk.

The delegation visited Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe in his office shortly before the reception. Welcoming his guests warmly, Governor Beebe said he was glad to host the Turkish delegation. Underlining that this was the first time such a delegation from Turkey came to visit Arkansas, Beebe said this visit is an indicator of a friendly and lasting relationship between Turkey and the US. Referring to a Turkish flag that was hanging in front of the Arkansas General Assembly for the visit by the Turkish delegation, Beebe said, “Hanging a Turkish flag shows we attach great importance to your country, Turkey.”

“We are very happy to be in Arkansas. We hope this visit will contribute to our relations. We were also happy to see our flag in front of the General Assembly of Arkansas. We thank you very much,” Türköne said while conveying President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin’s best regards to the state’s high-level officials.

The delegation also visited Speaker of the Arkansas House Robbie Wills. “As a person who has visited Turkey and loves Turkish people very much, I want to say that our doors are always open to the Turks,” Wills said.

In addition to Turkish officials, a wide range of high-level officials from Arkansas were present at the reception, where awards were also handed out.

Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels received the Outstanding Service Award, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines received the Community Service Award and Speaker of the Arkansas House Wills was given the Leadership Award.

Many officials from Arkansas showed great interest in the reception and added that they would like to see more delegations come from Turkey every year.

22 February 2010, Monday

TODAY’S ZAMAN  İSTANBUL

Turkish delegation warmly welcomed in Arkansas A delegation from the Turkish Parliament over the weekend met with officials in Little Rock, the capital of the US state of Arkansas. Many officials from Arkansas showed great interest in the reception. A delegation from the Turkish Parliament over the weekend met with officials in Little Rock, the capital and most populous city of the US state of Arkansas. Today's interactive toolbox Video Photo Audio Send to print Send to my friend Post your comments Read comments A reception was held on Sunday by a Türkevi (Turkish House) in Little Rock to improve friendly relations with Turkey. Many high-level officials from Turkey participated in the reception, including Özlem Türköne, an İstanbul deputy from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party); AK Party Malatya deputy Mehmet Şahin; Vahit Kirişçi, chairman of the parliamentary Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission and AK Party Adana deputy; AK Party Giresun deputy Nurettin Canikli; and AK Party deputy from Samsun Fatih Öztürk. The delegation visited Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe in his office shortly before the reception. Welcoming his guests warmly, Governor Beebe said he was glad to host the Turkish delegation. Underlining that this was the first time such a delegation from Turkey came to visit Arkansas, Beebe said this visit is an indicator of a friendly and lasting relationship between Turkey and the US. Referring to a Turkish flag that was hanging in front of the Arkansas General Assembly for the visit by the Turkish delegation, Beebe said, “Hanging a Turkish flag shows we attach great importance to your country, Turkey.” “We are very happy to be in Arkansas. We hope this visit will contribute to our relations. We were also happy to see our flag in front of the General Assembly of Arkansas. We thank you very much,” Türköne said while conveying President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin’s best regards to the state’s high-level officials. The delegation also visited Speaker of the Arkansas House Robbie Wills. “As a person who has visited Turkey and loves Turkish people very much, I want to say that our doors are always open to the Turks,” Wills said. In addition to Turkish officials, a wide range of high-level officials from Arkansas were present at the reception, where awards were also handed out. Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels received the Outstanding Service Award, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines received the Community Service Award and Speaker of the Arkansas House Wills was given the Leadership Award. Many officials from Arkansas showed great interest in the reception and added that they would like to see more delegations come from Turkey every year.   22 February 2010, Monday TODAY’S ZAMAN  İSTANBUL     The most read articles of this category Largest Ergenekon probe touches all untouchables Detentions signal normalization of civilian-military relations Removal of Gen. Başbuğ could open Pandora’s box for Turkey Pasts of detained commanders give clues to coup involvement Erdoğan warns both Iran, Israel over nuke controversy Turkey rejects being dragged into debates on Europe’s borders Navy questions officers over passphrase scandal NATO airstrike kills 33 civilians in central Afghanistan Ecevit’s medical docs reach Ergenekon court PM vows to bring judicial reform package to Parliament The most read articles Largest Ergenekon probe touches all untouchables Detentions signal normalization of civilian-military relations Removal of Gen. Başbuğ could open Pandora’s box for Turkey Pasts of detained commanders give clues to coup involvement Erdoğan warns both Iran, Israel over nuke controversy Turkey rejects being dragged into debates on Europe’s borders Mercan: International perspective needed for Armenian protocols Navy questions officers over passphrase scandal NATO airstrike kills 33 civilians in central Afghanistan Korea, Turkey to commence FTA talks in April

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