İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Mayor Tunç Soyer gave a speech at the reception for the 15th anniversary of Kosovo's independence. Mayor Soyer, who states that İzmir is one of the largest Balkan cities in the world, said “Our brothers in Kosovo always are more than welcome. We are always decisive to keep this fraternity alive.
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality hosted the reception. This reception was held to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Kosovo. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer, the Vice Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Oğuz Kaan Salıcı ,CHP İzmir Provincial Head Şenol Aslanoğlu, CHP İzmir Deputies Ednan Arslan, Mahir Polat, Sevda Erdan Kılıç, Mayor of Konak Abdül Batur, Mayor of Narlıdere  Ali Engin, Mayor of Bornova Mustafa İduğ, the Member of CHP Party Parliament Rıfat Nalbantoğlu, the candidates of Nation Alliance, the Consul General of Kosovo Suzan Novoberdaliu, Head of the Kosovo Rumelia Association Uğur Şengöz, the representatives of political party, the members of parliament, the representatives of the İzmir business world and many citizens participated the night held at the Historical Coal Gas Factory.
At the reception, a film about the establishment of the Republic of Kosovo and evoking all the positive and negative processes that the State of Kosovo went through during and after the war was watched. Kosovo's 15th anniversary was celebrated with Balkan Folk Songs.
“There are mayors who are working hard for Kosovan in İzmir”
Mayor Tunç Soyer, who spoke at the reception, said “The Balkans is perhaps the geography where the world's greatest suffering is experienced. It is the geography with the people who carry the can, since it is the most fertile lands in the world, where the greatest immigration take place. Unfortunately, the people who struggled with these sufferings had to disperse all over the world with great immigration. Although Kosovo is a 15-year-old state, it is a society where we have been brothers and have lived together for at least 500 years. We are proud to host our Kosovo brothers as one of the largest Balkan cities in the world, İzmir. We know that as much as bread and water are vital for everybody, peace and brotherhood are just as significant for societies. Our fraternity will last forever. My Kosovan brothers should know that there are mayors in İzmir who are working hard for them. Our brothers in Kosovo are always more than welcome. They are our relatives, brothers that we always want to be with. We are decisive to keep this fraternity alive.”
"I hope Atatürk's views will expand not only to the Balkans but to the whole world"
The Vice Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Oğuz Kaan Salıcı told about his memory in Pristina during the war. He said, “ The Balkans have very nice people. Those nice people have done great things in Turkey. They made a great contribution to the improvement of Turkey, thanks to the works they signed. We are brothers with Kosovo. This fraternity didn't start with independence 15 years ago but riveted with independence. From now on, our brotherhood will grow stronger as independence is riveted. Sometimes we don't realize the value of the things we experience because we can live our own belief, independence and freedoms in Turkey. We understand how important it is when there is a possibility of losing. We will continue in the footsteps of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who ensured that the minarets in Kosovo exist in Turkey and that the call to prayer is utilized to signify Turkey's independence. I hope Atatürk's views will expand not only to the Balkans but to the whole world, and we have the opportunity to administer all humanity.
“We will continue to support in difficult times”
The Consul General of Kosovo Suzan Novoberdaliu asserted, "We have deeply saddened by the earthquake that took place in Turkey. We tried to do everything we could. In difficult times, the people of both countries will always continue to support each other. Our condolences once again to those who lost their lives in the earthquake. The independence of Kosovo was achieved with great self - devotion and struggle. I was a member of the Kosovo parliament on 17 February 2008. I am proud to sign the Charter of Independence. We are all proud of the achievements of the state of Kosovo in enlargement and refreshment in the last 15 years. We would like to thank our brother country Turkey and all our allies.
“We are proud to be countryman with the descendant of Mustafa Sabri from Pristina”
The Head of the Kosovo Rumelia Association, Uğur Şengöz, said “Kosovo received great support from Turkey, when it was founded on February 17, 15 years ago. Actually, we had planned to organize this celebration with our Mayor Tunç Soyer on February 22. However, we delayed it to today due to the 6 February earthquake. We are together to heal the wounds of the earthquake as all Balkan associations. The greatest Balkan immigrant is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for us. We will continue to follow in Atatürk’s footsteps. We are proud to be countryman with the descendant of Mustafa Sabri from Pristina. Our Mayor Tunç Soyer, the descendant of Mustafa Sabri from Pristina, is working hard for us”