Gaziantep

President Abdullah Gül and First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül paid a domestic visit to the province of Gaziantep. The President, during his speech at the Governorate, where he received a delegation of the representatives of the UN organizations, declared Gaziantep to be one of Turkey’s most important cities. The First Couple also visited Zeugma Mosaic Museum as part of their program in Gaziantep. President Gül after performing the Friday Prayer at Ulu Mosque paid a visit to Hasan Kalyoncu University.

The Presidential Couple were welcomed by Deputy PM Beşir Atalay, Governor Erdal Ata, Garrison Coomander Gen. Kahraman Güneş, Mayor Asım Güzelbey and other officials.

VISIT TO GOVERNORATE

President Gül, during his visit to the Governorate, said he had met with Syrian refugees staying at the Elbeyli camp. The President also declared Gaziantep to be one of Turkey’s most important cities. “Gaziantep with its vibrant economy, trade, history and cultural as well as agircultural activities is a shining city in our country. Gaziantep has many a good example which other cities can learn from. We are all proud of the successes Gaziantep has achieved. Whenever my international counterparts and other state leaders visit me, I advise them to explore the dynamism and development in southeast Anatolia. They say they are very impressed by this dynamism, which makes me proud indeed.”

The atmosphere of stability and security in Turkey, the President noted, provides an opportunity for the country to achieve great developments in all areas. “I especially would like to accentuate the feeling of ownership the people of Gaziantep have. Every single citizen here from the government officials to the people in the street, from the Governor to the members of the NGOs and investors and industrialists are enjoying a robust union and solidarity, thus creating a great synergy and making this city a shining star.”

PRESIDENT GÜL RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UN ORGANIZATIONS

President Abdullah Gül, as part of his program in Gaziantep, received a delegation of the representatives of the UN Organizations.

Among the delegation were the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkey and the UNDP Resident Representative for Turkey, Kamal Malhotra; the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Representative to Turkey, Ayman Abu-Laban; the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Turkey, Maria Christina Profili; the World Food Programme (WFP) Representative to Turkey, Jean-Yves Lequime; Nathalie Fustier of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Turkey; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Turkey, Karim Atassi; the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Representative to Turkey, Meera Sethi and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative to Gaziantep, Çağatay Erdem.

THE FIRST COUPLE AT ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM

President Gül and the First Lady visited Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where they were welcomed by Provincial Director Ergin Özuslu of Culture and Tourism and Curator Ahmet Denizhanoğulları.

After the promotional video on the museum was shown, the Presidential Couple were informed about the mosaics displayed in the museum. They later examined the objects on display and explored the mosaic called the “Gypsy Girl”.

President Gül, while leaving the museum, chatted with students of Zirve University’s Department of Maritime Studies.

President Gül later performed the Friday Prayer at Ulu Mosque and had a short conversation with members of the congregation afterwards.

HASAN KALYONCU UNIVERSITY HOSTS PRESIDENT GÜL

President Gül and Mrs. Gül also paid a visit to Hasan Kalyoncu University in Gaziantep. Board of Trustees Chairman Cemal Kalyoncu informed the First Couple about the activities of the university during their visit.

Having completed his program in Gaziantep, President Abdullah Gül left the city for Istanbul.