Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer hosted the United States Ambassador Jeffry Flake in his office. Mayor Tunç Soyer said, “We opened Izmir Offices in various parts of the world. We would like to open one of these offices in Washington.”
United States Ambassador Jeffry Flake visited Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer in his office. The ambassador's wife Cheryl Flake, the Advisor to the Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Onur Eryüce, the General Manager of IZFAS, Canan Karaosmanoğlu Alıcı, the Head of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Foreign Relations and Tourism Department Gökçe Başkaya, IZFAS International Relations Coordinator Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu, Responsible for Consular Affairs Ambassador Counselor Nancy Abella, the Commercial Counselor Fred Aziz, Commercial Attaché Assistant Naz Demirdöven, U.S. Honorary Consul in Izmir Güliz Balsari attended the meeting of Ambassador and Soyer.
Soyer: “It is satisfactory, but it needs improvement”
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer said, “Izmir is a very old city, it has 8500 years of history. We have a lot of potential and we are trying to evolve them. Our culture is very significant to us. The investments are also very important. We are a city with a history of fairs. We are also a port city. We are aware of the importance of protecting our cultural heritage. The volume of trade between America and Turkey at Izmir Port is satisfactory, but it needs to be improved. We opened Izmir Offices in various parts of the world. We would like to open one of these offices in Washington. People-to-people relationships are very important. America is also very important to us. We can do this with the office we will find.” Mayor Soyer, who states the Botanical EXPO to be held in 2026 is also a good cooperation opportunity, said that “the number of American tourists has increased and this number may increase further with the works to be done. United States Ambassador Jeffry Flake stated that he was happy to visit Izmir and meet with Mayor Soyer. He said “You have protected your cultural heritage very well. The city is flourishing well.”