The Media and Economic Forum opened yesterday in Istanbul. Eminent representatives of business communities and political circles, as well as press from all over the world arrived in Turkey to participate in it.
At the opening ceremony, Turkish Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the head of the Turkish delegation in the EU-Turkey negotiations, Egemen Bagish, were awarded the international decorations 'Turkey in Europe-Franco Nobili'. Vice Prime Minister Aly Balajan received the award for Mr Erdoğan, reports TV channel TRT.
The Forum is being held through the joint efforts of the Turkish-Italian Friendship Community and the Turkey in Europe Community. Mr Balajan declared that Turkey will take an active position in the EU mechanism of making political decisions and that the EU will strengthen it's international position after Turkey joins it. He also emphasised the importance of Turkish-Italian cooperation, as Italy has always supported Turkey joining the EU.
