The 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship between İzmir and Baku was celebrated at Kültürpark with an exhibition and a concert by world-renowned mugham artists. The Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Dr. Cemil Tugay, attended the concert together with his spouse Öznur Tugay and the Consul General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in İstanbul, Narmina Mustafayeva. Mayor Tugay stated that they would continue efforts to further strengthen cooperation between the two cities in culture, arts, economy, tourism, and youth engagement.

Organized in cooperation with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in İstanbul, the 40th anniversary of the sister city partnership between İzmir and Baku was marked with a series of events at Kültürpark. As part of the programme, Mayor Tugay, Öznur Tugay, and Narmina Mustafayeva visited an exhibition held at the Pakistan Pavilion. The exhibition featured photographs reflecting the cityscapes of İzmir and Baku, along with the sister city protocol signed in 1986. Following the exhibition, a concert titled “Melodies of Friendship” was held at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre. The concert, featuring world-renowned mugham artists Alim Qasımov and his daughter Fargana Qasımova, received a standing ovation, with melodies from Türkiye and Azerbaijan resonating throughout the evening. At the end of the programme, Mayor Tugay presented plaques to the artists. Azerbaijani attendees also took commemorative photographs with the Mayor. Among the participants were the Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in İzmir, Bauyrzhan Akatayev, and the General Manager of Petkim, Kanan Mirzayev.

“We want to see more Azerbaijanis in İzmir”
Speaking to members of the press, Mayor Tugay emphasized the strong ties between the two countries and cities: “Azerbaijan and Türkiye are often described as two states with one nation. In this context, we regard İzmir and Baku as sister cities with a deep-rooted relationship. This partnership, established through the agreement signed in 1986, has continued to grow stronger over time. While both cities have evolved and developed, the mutual respect and affinity between them has only deepened.” Highlighting the importance of increasing exchanges and cooperation, Tugay added: “We aim to further strengthen relations between İzmir and Baku through increased mutual visits and joint projects. We would like to welcome more visitors from Azerbaijan to İzmir and encourage the people of İzmir to visit Azerbaijan more frequently. We believe that enhanced social, cultural, and economic ties will be mutually beneficial.”

“The foundations of this relationship date back to the War of Independence”
In his speech at the concert, Mayor Tugay underlined the historical depth of the relationship between the two cities: “We are gathered to celebrate 40 years of partnership between two historic cities. The sister city protocol signed in 1986 represents not only a formal agreement but also our shared history, culture, and longstanding ties. The foundations of this relationship extend beyond the first official steps taken in 1985 and can be traced back to the years of the Turkish War of Independence.” Referring to the historical solidarity between the two nations, Tugay stated: “The spirit of solidarity from the 1920s continues to live on in both İzmir and Baku. This relationship is not limited to 40 years; it is a deep-rooted connection shaped by shared values, culture, and history.”

“We will continue to strengthen this partnership”
Emphasizing that the relationship has evolved into tangible cooperation, Mayor Tugay concluded: “The STAR Refinery in Aliağa, one of Türkiye’s largest foreign investments, and Petkim stand as important examples of this partnership in İzmir. Energy originating from Baku reaches global markets through İzmir, while this economic bridge provides employment for thousands. The trade volume between our ports continues to grow, contributing to the prosperity of both cities. In today’s digital age, combining İzmir’s vision in information technologies with Baku’s developing innovation ecosystem is among our priorities. Through inter-university student exchange programmes and joint technology initiatives, we aim to carry this 40-year partnership into the future with the contributions of younger generations. We believe that Türkiye and Azerbaijan will continue to grow stronger together. As two countries, two nations, and two cities, we must work hand in hand to reach our full potential. We see this relationship not as a legacy of the past, but as a strong partnership for the future.”

“If our hearts are one, distance remains only on the map”
Consul General Narmina Mustafayeva also highlighted the enduring nature of the relationship: “Today, we celebrate a friendship and partnership that has stood the test of time. These 40 years reflect shared experiences, dedication, and collective memory. The protocol signed in 1986 represents not only a formal agreement between two cities, but also a lasting connection extending from the Caspian to the Aegean.” Emphasizing the continuity of this relationship, Mustafayeva added: “Our relationship is not defined by distance. If our hearts are united, distance remains only on the map. Cities are shaped and elevated by their people. We hope that this partnership will continue to grow in the hearts of younger generations, inspiring our cities and strengthening ties between our people.”

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