UPDATE - Turkey opens Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital

ADDS JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE'S REMARKS

By Fahri Aksut and Davut Demircan

ANKARA (AA) - The addition of new city hospitals helps make the Turkish metropolis Istanbul into an international healthcare hub, said Turkey's president Thursday, cutting the ribbon on the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital.

Speaking at the inauguration of the hospital, a project of Turkey's Ronesans Healthcare and the Japan-based Sojitz Corporation, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that it adds to the deep-rooted and multidimensional Turkish-Japanese friendship.

Touting the brand-new facility, Erdogan called it "one of the proud monuments of Istanbul not only in terms of aesthetics, but also with its technological infrastructure, associated buildings, location, facilities and other features."

Such hospitals put Istanbul on the international map in terms of healthcare, he added.

Japanese premier Shinzo Abe also joined the hospital inauguration ceremony via video link.

Abe wished well to the Turkish people and said new hospital's name 'Cam' symbolized health and the Japanese Sakura cherry blossom.

"I am very happy to meet you after our phone call with Mr. Erdogan the other day. During our phone conversation, I was invited to participate in the inauguration ceremony via videoconference," Abe said. "I also participated in the opening ceremony of Marmaray seven years ago."

Abe said he respected Turkey's efforts against the spread of the coronavirus, under the "strong" leadership of President Erdogan and the government.

"I would like to convey my appreciation and gratitude to everyone that was a part of this initiative. Cam and Sakura City Hospital is one of the biggest hospitals in Turkey, equipped with latest technology."