Ankara

Turkish Development Minister Cevdet Yilmaz said on Wednesday "the world could unite under a common basis that we are all humans, and now under the Turkish language."

Turkish Development Minister Yilmaz received a group of foreign students who have been in Turkey to join the 11th Turkish Language Olympics.

Minister Yilmaz described the Turkish Language Olympics as "an organization contributing to world peace and brotherhood," as it plays "a key role in representing Turkey and improving Turkish reputation abroad."

Yilmaz stressed "It is praiseworthy that Turkish Language Olympics unites children and young people around common values who come from different parts of the world."

"The most prominent tie is among people, from heart to heart as well as from person to person. These young people will give Turkish people significant messages with their performances and bring back beautiful memories and experiences to their homes," highlighted Yilmaz.

Yilmaz pointed out that the Turkish Language Olympics was the primary embodiment that universal peace was possible in the world, saying "The world can unite under a common basis that we are all humans, and now under the Turkish language."

Turkish Olympics Committee Public Relations Coordinator Hasan Ayasu gave a brief information about the history of Turkish Language Olympics, of which 2013 events started on Saturday simultaneously in several Turkish provinces under the motto "Towards Universal Peace."

Defining the Turkish teachers' role as a "labor of love," Minister Yilmaz noted that a labor of love as the teachers from all around Turkey devotedly works in different parts of the world.

The students coming from Turkmenistan, Senegal, Togo, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia and Afghanistan, performed their songs and poems in Turkish once more for Minister Yilmaz.

The 11th International Turkish Language Olympics started in Ankara on June 1, simultaneously with several Turkish provinces, with a ceremony held at the 19 Mayis Stadium.

Events as part of the Turkish Language Olympics will continue until June 16 in more than 50 Turkish provinces.