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Azerbaijani businessman Telman Ismayilov applies for Turkish citizenship

25 May 2009 08:33 (UTC +04:00)

Ankara â€“ APA. Azerbaijani businessman Telman Ismayilov, who held a solemn opening ceremony of his hotel in Antalya on May 23, has applied for Turkish citizenship, Turkish pro-government newspaper Yeni Shafak writes, APA reports. Ismayilov said he loved Turkey and himself was a Turk.
â€œI am the citizen of Russia, but I love Turkey. Thatâ€™s why I applied for the citizenship,â€ he said.
The businessman said when he first visited Antalya, he decided to build a hotel there. He said he had spent $1.4 billion on the construction of Mardan Palace, personally participated in the design and construction of the hotel.
Ismayilov said he was on friendly terms with Hollywood stars and world-famous singers and added that he was moved by Sharon Stoneâ€™s words in the opening ceremony of the hotel.
â€œI was moved when Sharon said she loved Turkey and wanted to stay there together with her children, I could hardly stop my tears. It is a great present for me that they come to Antalya and praise Turkey,â€ he said.

Telman Ismayilov said he would construct a much bigger hotel than Mardan Palace in Turkey.

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