Ambassador's Remarks and Public Events

Ambassador Wilson Addresses the Rose Producers Cooperative

GULBIRLIK (Rose Producers Cooperative)

ISPARTA, Turkey, May 18, 2007

- Were honored to have you here, welcome to Isparta and to Gulbirlik

Amb. Wilson – Well thank you very much, it is a great pleasure to be here, this afternoon.

One of the things that I enjoy doing the most in this country is traveling around, meeting people, seeing some of the businesses here, seeing, visiting universities, getting to know Turkey and showing visibly in a way that these visits can the United States interest in this country and in its people.

I was very pleased after arriving this morning to have the opportunity to visit Suleyman Demirel University to talk with some of the faculty there and the Rector. It was a real treat just before now to visit the Suleyman Demirel Museum that is still being finished. I was honored to be able to go before it’s finished. Suleyman Demirel was a great statesman, a great friend of the United States and this is a real tribute to him and what he has done for Turkey and the world.

I’ve been in government long enough to know that the most important things going on in most countries are the work of businesses and businessmen like you. So it is a real treat to be here at Rosense and to get a sense of what takes place here. From what I’ve heard from my colleagues this is a very successful business -- particularly in the field of exports, particularly to the United States and I am very happy that. And I want to know a bit more about how and why you’ve been able to achieve that and whether there are any things that we can do to help to develop more and better partnerships with the United States between this company and others in this region.

Thank you very much.

Question from Akin newspaper: We are honored to have you here, Ambassador. We understand it is your first time here. Could we get your opinion of Isparta. How did you like it?

Ambassador: I have had a wonderful time in Isparta. I always like the opportunity to get out of my office, see what’s going on in Turkey, hear what Turks think, observe some of the businesses and the life in this country. We had a good meeting at the University with the Rector and some of the professors. We visited the factory where Rosense products are produced and we went to a marble producer that exports to the United States. It was very interesting

Question: As the United States, do you see any opportunities of doing business together, or developing new areas of business?

Ambassador: Oh I think there are definitely big opportunities especially for Turkish firms in this area to export to the United States. I was especially impressed with the work that’s going on a marble factory, to produce high value-added products that make a lot of money and produce high paying jobs.

People here, like a lot of the rest of Turkey, have a very good business sense. They are close to the ports of Izmir and Antalya especially. There are good opportunities.

Question: So for promotion of the region for its tourist areas, do you see any potential? Would you be doing anything to promote the area?

Ambassador: Well I think there is tourism potential all around here. It would look a little better if it weren’t raining, but I think that’s probably good for the farmers.

Question: Yesterday, the day before that we had great weather. I wish we could host you in better conditions. We would be honored to receive you in better weather conditions.

Ambassador: I hope so. I hope I can come back.