ISTANBUL
Turkey's European Union Minister Volkan Bozkir has attended the opening ceremony on Friday of the Turkey leg of a low-budget charity rally that travels from Germany to Jordan.
The tenth Allgaeu-Orient Rally, intended as a cultural exchange and charity event, began on May 10 and will reach its final destination on May 28.
Conversing with drivers in Istanbul on Friday, Minister Bozkir told press members he considered the rally to be important for it is a “rally of friendship”.
"The people [rally drivers] know each other. They share their countries' beauties. The rally's goal is friendship, fraternity and publicity of countries. I hope they keep up this friendly atmosphere and they will arrive in Amman safe and sound," Bozkir said.
He added that he was glad to host it in Istanbul.
"During the journey in Turkey you will enjoy the Turkish history and natural beauties and you will recognize the Turkish people's hospitality," he said.
After the ceremony, Bozkir was presented with a Jordanian flag and a license plate as a gift. He then counted down from ten to kick-start the Turkish leg of the rally at Sultanahmet Square.
The Allgaeu-Orient Rally is described as an "adventure rally" rather than a race. The rally, which hosts 550 drivers and 275 vehicles from 18 countries this year, features cars that must be worth below 1,111 euros ($1,270).
The vehicles will be given to those in need after event ends in Jordan.
The drivers will continue to travel through Turkey until May 23.
