- Amid the summer heat, Turkey hosts two major
sporting events og global significance this mont.
One is the first İstanbul Formula 1 Grand Prix, wich
is expected to be watched by two million people on all
continents. Thanks to this event, Turkey now has one of
the most modern race-tracks in the world. All
preparations for the race had been completed at the time
of going to press.
Meanwhile, the Universiade 2005 has been taking place
in İzmir. All the athletes taking part in this spectacle
are university students. These educated and healty young
people are the pride and hope of their countries and of
entire planet. In this edition of DİPLOMAT, we are
pleased to devote space to the comments of Mr Taha
AKSOY, the general coordinator of the event which has
brought them together. He recalls how the decision was
taken to organise the Universiade in İzmir, explains how
preparations were conducted and reflects on the benefits
andf achievenments of the organisation process.
Another of our guests this month is Marc VAN
RYSSELBERGHE, the Ambassador of Belgium to Ankara.
Ambassador VAN RYSSELBERGHE representsan important
European country which at the same time accommodates the
central hub of the European Union. Although only just
completing his first year in his post, the ambassador
has a long acquaintance with Turkey. In an interview
with Bernard KENNEDY, he dicusses Turkey-EU relations
and the situation of people of Turkish origin in
Belgium, and provides some interesting information on
the internal political organisation of his country.
Our arts pages future Ercan GÜLEN, Turkey's leading
exponent of the unusual and difficult technique of
linocut printing. For a feel of how the technique
operates and a glimpse of the work and character of the
artists, this article is well worth reading.
Our International travel recommendation for those
wanting to get away to somewhere a little cooler is
Amsterdam. But for those who want to stay in Turkey,
Fethiye is hard to beat. Once you have toured the
amazing archaeological sites of the district, choose
between a refreshing swim at Ölüdeniz or an exploration
of the natural wonders of Butterfly Valley.
The fine hotels of the region are expecting you.
Kaya Dorsan
Publisher and
editor-in-chief
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