The Regional Under Secretary of Presidency for External Relations pointed out today "the excellent relations and the rapid development of cooperation between the Azores and Turkey, a fact which is demonstrated by the decision to move forward with the construction of a tribute park to fighter Koca Yusuf on São Miguel."

According to Rodrigo Oliveira, who received in audience a delegation of the Turkish Cooperation Agency (TIKA), "the meeting aimed to assess the three-day work with the Regional Government, starting with the technical development of the construction project of the park. The project will essentially use Azorean materials, such as basalt stone, as well as Turkish materials; it will have a strong symbol component."

"Thus, we have continued the work we began last March, with the first visit of TIKA to the Region. In addition to the tribute paid to this famous 19th century Turkish fighter who died in a shipwreck near the Azores, we addressed issues regarding the further cooperation in tourism and culture," said the Regional Under Secretary. The government official spoke on the sidelines of a meeting that was also attended by the Regional Director for Public Works and Communications, Bruno Pacheco.

The delegation of TIKA was led by legal counsellor Mehmet Parlak, who was accompanied by the First Counsellor of the Embassy of Turkey in Lisbon, Özgür Uludüz, architect Giray Yucel and the Honorary Consul of Turkey in the Azores, Francisco Teves.

"The daily and direct flights between Portugal and Turkey and the growing number of tourists arriving from this destination to our country leads us to believe that the construction of the park in the Azores will attract Turkish tourists to the Region and the organisation of cultural events," explained the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations.