A reception was held on Sunday by a Türkevi (Turkish House) in Little Rock to improve friendly relations with Turkey. Many high-level officials from Turkey participated in the reception, including Özlem Türköne, an İstanbul deputy from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party); AK Party Malatya deputy Mehmet Şahin; Vahit Kirişçi, chairman of the parliamentary Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission and AK Party Adana deputy; AK Party Giresun deputy Nurettin Canikli; and AK Party deputy from Samsun Fatih Öztürk.The delegation visited Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe in his office shortly before the reception. Welcoming his guests warmly, Governor Beebe said he was glad to host the Turkish delegation. Underlining that this was the first time such a delegation from Turkey came to visit Arkansas, Beebe said this visit is an indicator of a friendly and lasting relationship between Turkey and the US. Referring to a Turkish flag that was hanging in front of the Arkansas General Assembly for the visit by the Turkish delegation, Beebe said, “Hanging a Turkish flag shows we attach great importance to your country, Turkey.”
“We are very happy to be in Arkansas. We hope this visit will contribute to our relations. We were also happy to see our flag in front of the General Assembly of Arkansas. We thank you very much,” Türköne said while conveying President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin’s best regards to the state’s high-level officials.
The delegation also visited Speaker of the Arkansas House Robbie Wills. “As a person who has visited Turkey and loves Turkish people very much, I want to say that our doors are always open to the Turks,” Wills said.
In addition to Turkish officials, a wide range of high-level officials from Arkansas were present at the reception, where awards were also handed out.
Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels received the Outstanding Service Award, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines received the Community Service Award and Speaker of the Arkansas House Wills was given the Leadership Award.
Many officials from Arkansas showed great interest in the reception and added that they would like to see more delegations come from Turkey every year.
