Within the scope of his working visit to Kosovo, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay continued his contacts by meeting with the Prime Minister Albin Kurti and four ministers, as well as mayors, deputy mayors, and President of Kosovo Chamber of Commerce. Being hosted by the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Prizren Fatih Topçu and Mamusha Municipality, which is the only Turkish municipality in Kosovo, Mayor Tugay stated that they wish to take steps to promote Kosovo in İzmir, and İzmir in Kosovo.
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay made important visits throughout three days during his working visit to Kosovo. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay met with the Prime Minister Albin Kurti and four ministers, as well as mayors, deputy mayors, and the President of Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, and engaged in new contacts on the final day of the program. Mayor Tugay was accompanied by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council Members İsa Nezir, Neriman Balcı Türkeri and Şevket Balla, Head of Foreign Relations Department Selin Sayın Kapancı, and from the Kosovo Rumelia Culture, Art and Tourism Association delegation, Association President Uğur Şengöz, High Advisory Board President Mustafa Kul, Association Vice President Necmi Şufta and Board Member Sevgi Sert.
"İzmir Days" in Kosovo
The first visit of Mayor Tugay and his accompanying delegation was to the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Prizren, Fatih Topçu. Stating that they evaluated how relations between İzmir and Kosovo could be developed, Tugay noted that during the meetings held with the chambers of commerce, business people, and relevant institutions, they observed significant potential, particularly for economic cooperation. Mayor Tugay stated that they are planning to organize "Kosovo Days" for several days in İzmir in October or November, and if possible, " İzmir Days" in Kosovo during the spring period. He expressed that in these events, they aim to arrange meetings bringing together business people from right sectors and right companies alongside cultural promotion. He noted that Kosovo offers diverse opportunities in terms of investment, and they wish to contribute to the development of these economic relations on the scale of İzmir.
"New Organization provides relations elevate to a new level"
Consul General Fatih Topçu stated that increasing contacts toward Kosovo from the Aegean Region, particularly from İzmir, would be beneficial, and mentioned that Mayor Tugay's visit is important in this regard. Topçu stated that the planned business forums and meeting will be beneficial, and drew attention to continue these efforts and transform them into sustainable relations.
President of Kosovo Rumelia Culture, Art, and Tourism Association Uğur Şengöz stated that they had previously organized two separate "Kosovo Business Days" events in İzmir and brought together Kosovan and İzmir business people in bilateral meetings in this regard. He stated that the new organization, planned with the support of Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, will contribute to take the cultural and economic works initiated in previous years to a more comprehensive stage.
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nvitation to Kosovo Days for Prizren Municipality from Tugay
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and his accompanying delegation met with Prizren Municipality delegation consisting of Prizren Deputy Mayors Kujtim Gashi and Furkan Bütüç, and Finance Director Levent Bushim. Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay stated that they are planning to organize "Kosovo Days" in İzmir in October or November, and invited Prizren Municipality to this event. Mayor Tugay expressed that promoting Prizren in İzmir can contribute to the city's recognition and tourism, and noted that alongside cultural activities within the scope of the event, a business forum will also be held. Tugay expressed that they aim to bring business people together wishing to trade between Türkiye and Kosovo, and stated that reciprocal events can also be organized in the future to promote İzmir in Prizren.
"I am the groom of İzmir"
Prizren Deputy Mayor Kujtim Gashi stated that Prizren is the second largest city and an important cultural center of Kosovo, and expressed that the city hosts a rich cultural heritage from different historical periods along with numerous international festivals and events. Bütüç emphasized that he has strong personal ties with İzmir. Bütüç, who described himself as "the groom of İzmir," stated that he had lived in Karşıyaka Bostanlı for a year in the past and knew Mayor Tugay from his time as the Mayor of Karşıyaka. Bütüç stated that they wanted to participate in Kosovo Days planned to be held in İzmir with the Mayor of Prizren and the municipal delegation, and that they were ready to support İzmir promotional events to be held in Prizren in terms of cultural activities and organizations. Bütüç stated that a collaboration that could be beneficial for Prizren by benefitting from İzmir's healthcare facilities and experience would be advantageous for the city.
Mayor Tugay and his delegation met with tradespeople in Prizren. The delegation visited
Sinan Pasha Mosque, which features a shadirvan and sermons in Turkish, and was restored by TIKA. Tugay also met with children who were painting as part of the Awakening with Art Festival.
He visited Mamusha, the only Turkish municipality
Lastly, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and his accompanying delegation met with the Mayor of Mamusha Abdülhadi Krasniç, the only Turkish municipality among the 38 municipalities in Kosovo. Krasniç stated that approximately 90 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture, and noted that around 80 percent of the greenhouses in Kosovo are located in Mamusha, where the production of tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, and cabbage stands out prominently. He reminded that they have sister city cooperation relations with numerous municipalities in Türkiye, and noted that they are sister cities with Foça Municipality in İzmir.
Krasniç stated that education and healthcare services are under the municipality's responsibility in Mamusha, and expressed that they attach great value to support that can be provided by Türkiye, particularly regarding access to healthcare services and improving the quality of Turkish education. He stated that they hold various contacts with universities and healthcare institutions in Türkiye and benefit from facilitative procedures for people visiting Türkiye for medical treatment. Existing human bonds between Mamusha and İzmir were also addressed during the meeting. Krasniç stated that some members of his family live in İzmir and he visited the city in the past.
Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay stated that the primary objective of Kosovo visit was to understand local administrations more closely and evaluate mutual cooperation opportunities. Tugay stated that maintaining contacts in concrete areas, especially agriculture, health, and education would be beneficial, and that new projects could be undertaken if mutual communication continued.
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