October 7, 2002

Following emotional 9/11 commemorative ceremonies in New York City with a special visit by President George W. Bush, NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg visited Athens, Turkey and Afghanistan. All visits were part of an effort, in the language of the Sept. 24 New York Times, of "selling the world to New York."

In Athens, Greece on Sept. 19 Mayor Bloomberg led the city's drive in international competition for the 2012 Olymic Games.

His four-day trip included a visit with Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

The mayor, at a luncheon meeting of The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, used the occasion to tout the benefits of doing business in New York as the city continued its recovery effort. The Athens Mayor had invited Mayor Bloomberg to visit Greece after meeting the mayor at a Greek Independence Day parade in New York last spring.

On to Turkey after an audience with Greece's President, Konstandinos Stephanopoulos, Mayor Bloomberg, with daughter Emma, lunched with Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna.

Then, in a surprise trip to Afghanistan, the mayor visited American troops at Bagram Air Base to show his support in the war against terrorism. That visit included a "thank you" from 8 million New Yorkers.

Following his return to New York the mayor on Sept. 25 received the 2002 Global Leadership Award from the United Nations Association of The United States of America (UNA-USA) and The Business Council for the United Nations (BCUN).

Mayor Bloomberg was recognized for education reform and for his commitment to good relations between New York City and The United Nations. The mayor has made education a top priority in New York, the International Host City of The United Nations.