In boost to Olympic ambitions, Istanbul moves closer to hosting 2027 European Games.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The European Olympic Committees’ chief and Turkish officials inked an initial agreement on Thursday for Istanbul to host the 2027 European Games, in a move that could boost the city’s chances of staging the 2036 Olympics.

The European Olympic Committees picked Turkey’s largest city as host at a meeting in March, although the decision still needs to be approved by national members at a meeting in June.

EOC President Spyros Capralos, Turkish Olympic Committee vice president Kazim Ali Kiremitcioglu and Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu signed a memorandum of understanding in a ceremony in Rome, bringing Istanbul closer to hosting the European sports event.

Istanbul has bid to host the Olympics several times and came second to Tokyo in the bid contest for the 2020 Olympics. City officials said last year they want to target the 2036 Summer Games.