Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu and Nicosia Mayor Mehmet Harmancı cosigned the “Sister City Protocol” between the two cities. “We will add jasmines of Nicosia to the flowers growing in the mountains of Izmir,” said the visiting Mayor.

Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu hosted Nicosia Mayor Mehmet Harmancı and the delegation accompanying him and gave the following message: “We will always be by your side. We are here for all sorts of cooperation”. Nicosia Mayor Mr. Harmancı added: “There are so many things we can learn from you. First, we will cooperate with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in sports and cultural events. We will add jasmines of Nicosia to the flowers growing in the mountains of Izmir”

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Council Member Muzaffer Tunçağ and Nicosia Municipality’s Council Members Salih Çeliker, Hüseyin Önder Ecesoy, Safiye Özaltıner and Mehmet Manavoğlu were present at the simple ceremony organized at the Town Hall. 
During this visit, Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu answered questions of the Cypriot delegation and said: “In 15 years, we made investments worth over 16 billion liras. The money we manage exceeds beyond measure. But I have not paid a dime for anyone’s interests. If I have not kept my municipality strong in the economic aspect, I would not have the chance to be the mayor. This is why the people of Izmir voted for me”.

History of our Sister Cities
Thanks to the sister city relations established all around the world as of the 1980s, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has not only promoted Izmir on abroad but also cooperated in a wide range of areas from improvement of economic relations to organizing bilateral cultural and sports events and exchanging knowledge and know-how for advancement of public services. At the end of 2018, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality had sister city and cooperation protocols and goodwill agreements concluded with 28 cities from countries all around the world. This number reached 29 with the Sister City Protocol signed with Nicosia Turkish Municipality of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.