Attending the opening for a Şanlıurfa Municipal Gastronomy Center, Minister Ersoy grilled some liver kebabs while Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank enjoyed local delicacies. 

The state-run Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) will be working intensively in coming years to promote the southeast to the world, the ministers said, adding that they hope to establish Mesopotamia as a touristic brand.

"Mesopotamia has a unique culture, it has its own unique gastronomy," Ersoy said. "Add that to the unmatched archaeological values, you have an amazing thing."

Ankara aims to establish the 11 new sites around Göbeklitepe as the 12 Hills, Ersoy said, adding that all the new ruins were located within a 100-kilometer perimeter.