AA's photo exhibition on Somalia opened in PACE

STRASBOURG (A.A) - January 23, 2012 – An exhibition of Somalia photographs by Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondents and photo journalists was opened at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) in Strasbourg, France on Monday. Turkish Deputy Premier Bulent Arinc, PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu and Anadolu Agency Director General Kemal Ozturk inaugurated the exhibition titled "Being Human in Somalia". Delivering a speech at the inauguration, Arinc said that Turkey was the first country to notice human tragedy in Somalia, stating that he would like to congratulate AA on its leadership to show this tragedy in Somalia to the world. Arinc said that opening of this exhibition in a prestigious city and especially in PACE was important. These photos reflected tragedy in Somalia, he said and recalled that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and representatives from political parties visited Somalia. Turkey built hospitals, airports, roads and some facilities in Somalia, he said. Arinc also thanked Cavusoglu for his support to the exhibition. Cavusoglu said he would like to thank AA photo journalists and AA Director General Kemal Ozturk for this exhibition, stating that he was proud to host it. Turkey's support to Somalia was of great importance and the country's initiatives were appreciated, he said. Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland said that the exhibition showed once again the situation in Somalia. AA Director General Ozturk said that being human in Somalia was one of the most difficult things in the world. "We, as journalists, came here to show tragedy in Somalia to the world. Turkey exerted great efforts to save lives there," he said. Ozturk thanked PACE President and other officials for their support. The photo exhibition will run till January 27.