CHP questions backtrack from EXPO

ANKARA

The main opposition party has introduced a parliamentary question over the government’s last-minute decision to not attend EXPO in 2015 that will take place in Milano, Italy.

“Has the Italian Embassy officially been notified that Turkey will not participate in the fair in Milano in 2015? If this notification was given, what reasons were cited?” deputy leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Gürsel Tekin asked Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu through his parliamentary question.

Turkey’s decision that shocked the Italian government was first covered by Hürriyet Daily News last year.

The Daily News learned from reliable sources that the decision was made directly by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan due to Italy’s support for Dubai in İzmir’s race for EXPO 2020. Turkish officials cited economic reasons for Turkey’s decision when they were approached by the Italian government.

To sway the government toward participation in the fair, the Italian government made a new offer and decreased the participation fee from 15 million euros to 9 million, but it still did not receive a positive response.