In what is the largest investment in the history of the republic, 600 million liras were dished out to establish facilities in Erzurum for the 2011 Winter Games. Today, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will both be in attendance of the facilities' opening. After Prime Minister Erdoğan's arrival in Erzurum yesterday, he paid a visit to the facilities built to host the 25th World University Winter Games and had the opportunity to watch both Turkish and Slovakian athletes compete on the jumping towers. Afterwards, Erdoğan gave the athletes a plaque as well as a selection of gifts.During an address made at the facilities, Erdoğan thanked everyone involved in the building of the facilities. "Right now, our Erzurum district has facilities unlike anywhere else in Turkey. It suits Erzurum, which is on the way to becoming a global city. In addition to hosting the World University Winter Games, now we now want to be hosts to the International Winter Olympics. "SPECIAL GUEST PAPANDREOU Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou arrived to Erzurum as a special guest of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and following a meeting held at ten this morning, they will then attend the new Olympic facilities.