Turkish Minister of EU affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis on Tuesday said, "The competitors of Izmir's EXPO 2020 and Istanbul's Olympic candidacy will act tactless and use Gezi Park incidents against us. However, the incidents taking place in their cities are not any less."
Bagis held a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure to the French capital of Paris to make a presentation on Izmir EXPO 2020 candidacy to the International Exhibitions Bureau delegation.
Bagis emphazised Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's support for Izmir's bid and said, "Today we are all indiscirminately here for the good of our country."
"Today similar incidents can take place in all major countries' major cities. One of the most significant characteristics of democracies is their strong civil society dynamics. Incidents in Taksim are a manifestation of our democratic life," Bagis said.
"We shouldn't allow these incidents damage the reputation of our country. The competitors of Izmir's EXPO 2020 and Istanbul's Olympic candidacy will act tactless and use Gezi Park incidents against us. However, the incidents taking place in their cities are not any less."
Bagis then departed for Paris.
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