MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism of The Republic of Turkey, I would like to reiterate to the people of the United States of America that even in these unsettled times, Turkey remains a safe and welcoming destination for leisure and business travelers.

Our government expressed its deepest sympathy to the United States in the wake of last September's terrorist attacks, extended its hand to aid America in the healing process, and is an important ally of the United States in its war on terrorism..

The Turkish people continue to welcome travelers with the inimitable hospitality that has been a cornerstone of our daily life for centuries, a reflection of our country's age-old role as the vital geographic link between Europe and Asia. Last year we hosted more than 12 million visitors, some 500,000 of which were from the U.S. - a number that has doubled in five years, testimony to Turkey's myriad attractions, man-made and natural, contemporary and ancient.

Anatolia boasts the often awe-inspiring remnants of 13 civilizations, spanning 10,000 years; it is the site of the first human settlement,Catalhoyuk; the seat of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires; the birthplace of Homer, King Midas and Herodotus and the last home of the Virgin Mary. A symbolic wooden Trojan horse stands in Troy, while Ephesus is richly endowed with marble temples, mosaics and a 25,000-seat Great Theater. Ours is an ancient land, straddled by majestic mountains and framed on three sides by more than 5,000 miles of magnificent coastline.

Besides, Turkey embraces three great religions and countless ethnic heritages, which have enjoyed centuries of peaceful co-existence.

The ports punctuating that coast continue to foster the success of some of the most heavily trafficked commercial routes between East and West, a factor that contributes to Turkey's role as "the global bazaar" offering some of the world's best shopping in terms of the quality of goods, value and the cultural experience. And Turkish goods are an integral component of American life as the United States is Turkey's most important trading partner.

As a modern democracy, Turkey is a founding member of the United Nations and an early member of NATO. Our integration into the Western world has been further consolidated by Turkey's membership in other major international political, economic and defensive institutions such as the Council of Europe and the OECD, and Turkey is a candidate for full membership in the European Union, while remaining a contributor to UN peacekeeping operations worldwide.

We look forward to welcoming all Americans to our corner of the Mediterranean and promise an experience that only the warm friendship of the Turkish people, coupled with our country's rich heritage and natural wonders, can provide.