İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay attended a reception held in honor of Ralf Schröer, whose term as Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in İzmir has come to an end, and Dr. Kathrin Misera-Lang, who has recently been appointed to the position. Emphasizing the special relationship between Türkiye and Germany, Mayor Tugay stated that İzmir Metropolitan Municipality stands ready for cooperation in every field.

The reception, organized at the İzmir Chamber of Commerce, brought together diplomatic, political, and business representatives to bid farewell to Consul General Ralf Schröer and welcome his successor, Dr. Kathrin Misera-Lang. Among the attendees were Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, Ambassador Yeşim Kebapçıoğlu, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in İzmir, Konak Mayor Nilüfer Çınarlı Mutlu, Consul General of Romania in İzmir Lilian Zamfiroiu, Consul General of Greece in İzmir Alexandros Kostas, Consul of Italy in İzmir Daniele Bianchi, Honorary Consul of France in İzmir Bernard Arkas, Honorary Consul of South Africa in İzmir Tamer Taşkın, Arkas Holding Chairman Lucien Arkas, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions and the business community.

“İzmir Will Always Hold a Special Place”
Describing the evening as both meaningful and emotional, Mayor Tugay said: “The long-standing friendship between Türkiye and Germany is a unique and valuable bond built on shared efforts and mutual trust, passed down from generation to generation. Today, we are experiencing both the sadness of a farewell and the joy of a new beginning. We bid farewell to Consul General Ralf Schröer, who brought his extensive diplomatic experience to İzmir and established valuable ties with both our city and our institution. On behalf of myself, my municipality, and the people of İzmir, I would like to thank him for his sincere interest in and contributions to our city. I am confident that İzmir will always hold a special place in the hearts of Mr. Schröer and his family. I sincerely hope that he will never forget İzmir.”

“We Are Ready for Cooperation”
Welcoming Dr. Kathrin Misera-Lang to her new post in İzmir, Mayor Tugay expressed his confidence that her experience in Türkiye would make a valuable contribution to the city. “I wholeheartedly believe that your experience in Türkiye will bring significant value to İzmir, and I would like to emphasize that İzmir Metropolitan Municipality is ready for every form of cooperation.” Mayor Tugay also recalled the more than three-decade sister-city relationship between İzmir and Bremen, as well as the recently strengthened cooperation with Frankfurt, describing them as clear examples of the enduring partnership between Türkiye and Germany. “We are determined to further advance these strong ties in every field.”

“You Made İzmir Feel Like Home”
Outgoing Consul General Ralf Schröer reflected on his diplomatic career and his years in İzmir: “Change and continuity are two constant elements of diplomatic life. However, changes should be positive experiences not only for diplomats but also for their spouses and children. Otherwise, a lifestyle that may appear attractive from the outside can quickly become exhausting. My wife and I changed countries eleven times during our nearly forty-year diplomatic careers and spent around thirty years abroad. We raised our three children in different countries and within two different educational systems. İzmir became our final posting. I will retire at the end of June, and a diplomat’s final assignment always carries special significance. During the past three years, my wife and I felt extremely happy and at peace in İzmir. As official representatives of Germany, we were always warmly welcomed in Türkiye, especially in İzmir. Yet what impressed us most was not only the official hospitality. We were deeply touched time and again by the warmth, sincerity, and culture of hospitality that we encountered in everyday life. İzmir and Western Anatolia are an integral part of both Mediterranean and European culture. You made İzmir feel like home for us. You helped fill our years here with wonderful memories. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

“I Am Delighted to Be Working in İzmir”
Consul General Dr. Kathrin Misera-Lang expressed her enthusiasm about her new assignment: “I am very pleased to be here this evening and delighted to be working in İzmir. Twenty years ago, my husband and I served at the German Embassy in Ankara, and we have unforgettable memories from that period.”
 

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