Istanbul is intelligent city stresses minister

ISTANBUL

Europe will be weak and poor without having Istanbul, says the EU Minister and Chied Negotiator Egemen Bağış. Istanbul has tiny problems with traffic, he says. AA photo

Istanbul is one of the most intelligent cities in the world despite tiny problems with traffic in terms of world history and in a general perspective, according to Turkey’s European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış.

Rising interest in Istanbul from both the East and the West proves that people are discovering the intelligence of the city, he said yesterday at the World Intelligent Cities summit, according to Anatolia news agency.

Future global center for solutions, says Bağış
“With the Kanal Istanbul and Marmaray projects, as well as the construction of a third bridge over the Bosporus, urban transformation and public transportation projects, its historical richness and culture Istanbul will be one of the future centers for solutions in the world,” he said.

“The smart cities market is driven by the growth of smart energy, smart transportation and smart security among other sub-markets. The overall smart cities market – valued at $526.3 billion in 2011 – is forecasted to double to hit $1,023.4 billion by 2016,” a statement said on the summit’s official website.

‘Tolerance and empathy’
“Istanbul has no problem that cannot be solved. The most important richness [that we have] in Istanbul is tolerance and the ability to empathize,” he said.

All faiths, values and cultures co-exist peacefully in Istanbul, he said.

“I find great pleasure in talking about Istanbul during the negotiation process with the European Union. I tell the Europeans how poor and weak the EU will be without having Istanbul,” he said.

Noting that Istanbul is one of Turkey’s biggest treasures, he said, “Istanbul is one of the natural capitals and [also] one of the biggest treasures of Europe.”