1-kilometer-long Turkish flag unfurled on the sea surface

As the July 1st Maritime and Cabotage Day was also being celebrated, a large number of citizens flocked to the Taşkıran coastline, while soldiers affiliated with the Mediterranean Regional Command carried the 1-kilometer-long Turkish flag, which had been fitted with buoyancy supports, onto the surface of the sea.

Citizens also assisted with the transport process from time to time. Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan and his accompanying delegation watched the flyboard shows performed on the Pompeipolis coast, accompanied by helicopters and ships affiliated with the Mediterranean Regional Command.

Visiting the stands set up on the beach, Pehlivan stated in his remarks to journalists that the Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City in the Mezitli district is one of the oldest and most ancient cities in the world.

Expressing that Soli Pompeiopolis is not only an ancient city but also houses one of the world's oldest ports, Pehlivan said, "Soli means sun. In previous years, we held events in our Mezitli district under the name of the Sun Festival. Since July 1st is also Maritime and Cabotage Day this year, we wanted to turn it into a tourism and promotional activity as the Sea and Sun Festival, both to celebrate Maritime and Cabotage Day and to add another name to the Sun Festival on this occasion."

"OUR GLORIOUS FLAG, 1 KILOMETER LONG, IS ON THE SEA"

Stating that Turkey has a coastline length of 8,333 kilometers, Pehlivan noted that 321 kilometers of this are located in Mersin. Emphasizing that Mersin is a coastal city, Pehlivan continued as follows:

"We are right on the edge of the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean, as you know, is a value that includes our territorial waters, which we refer to and characterize as our Blue Homeland. With these events, we are celebrating our Maritime and Cabotage Day. On the occasion of this holiday, we remember the struggles our noble ancestors gave at sea as well as on land from the past to the present, and we commemorate our noble ancestors. At the same time, in these days when we are building the second century of our Republic, the Century of Turkey, with the participation of everyone, as expressed by our President, we are drawing attention to our seas. While doing this, of course, the sea represents a strategic importance in one aspect, the economy in another, and tourism in another; in short, all issues related to the sea come to our agenda. In this respect, we certainly want to draw attention to our seas and, along with that, to the tourism potential of our Mersin province, which has almost everything a visitor or tourist could look for. That is why we combined this Sun Festival with the Maritime and Cabotage Day events. The event held today has a special beauty. We waved our flag in the seas before Maritime and Cabotage Day. Right now, our glorious flag, 1 kilometer long, is on the sea."

"OUR AIRPORT IS COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS FOR ITS OPENING"

Governor Pehlivan stated that the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure came to Mersin with a delegation and conducted inspections at Çukurova International Airport, saying:

"Hopefully, we are waiting for a date from our President soon. Our airport is counting down the days for its opening. Therefore, with the opening of our airport, just as there will be mobility in many sectors in our province from industry to agriculture, the mobility in the tourism sector will also increase much more. We are already seeing the signs of this. Agencies are in contact with us and our tourism sector stakeholders from abroad as well as from within the country. We will all see it together. Our beautiful province of Mersin, in our beautiful Turkey, will continue to develop and progress in every field every day, climbing the steps one by one. The star of our Mersin will shine. Just as the star of our Turkey shines brighter every day and moves towards the future with firm and strong steps every day," he said.

Following the speeches, the show organized with the support of helicopters and ships affiliated with the Mediterranean Regional Command and the Coast Guard Command was watched with interest.

News Source: İHA