Turkish body UETD expands in Italy

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - A Turkish group working to promote the country across Europe is planning to expand in Italy with a new branch opening later this month, its local chairman announced on Thursday.

Dervis Bozyel of the Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD) told Anadolu Agency the organization would open a representative office in Milan.

Bozyel said the new UETD branch would be coordinated by 15 members who have been living in Italy for more than 10 years.

The office will also contribute to both countries’ common political, social and cultural studies.

“I hope our new office will work with the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Rome, Italy’s government, parliament, municipalities and other … official institutions,” Bozyel said.

Kadir Topal, a member of UETD’s Public Relations Board, said the official opening of its new office would take place in the third week of March and would be in the same area as the Consulate General of Turkey in Milan.

The UETD was established in 2004 in Germany and now has offices in 26 different European countries.