Ahead of concert, U2's Bono meets with PM Erdogan

Ahead of today's U2 concert – one of the most hotly anticipated events in Istanbul's cultural life this year – band frontman Bono took time out from rehearsals by meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting at the premier's office at Dolmabahce Palace included Erdogan and his daughter, Sumeyye Erdogan, as well as Turkey's chief European Union negotiator, Egemen Bagis, and State Minister Hayati Yazici. Bono gave the premier a red iPod Nano, which he said would benefit the Global Fund to Fight Against AIDS. The singer and activist also told Erdogan he knew the prime minister was a great fan of Turkish classical music. Erdogan then posed with the band for press photos, although the rest of their meeting was behind closed doors. Bono's program for the rest of the day included a walk on the Bosporus Bridge with Yazici and Bagis. U2 is set to perform in Istanbul for the very first time this evening as part of its 360º Tour. The band will be on stage at the Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium, contributing to Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture festivities. The concert is being organized by LiveNation, in collaboration with the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and the Arts (IKSV) and Pozitif.