Dr. Cemil Tugay, Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, travelled to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for a series of official engagements. The program began with visits to the mausoleums of Rauf Denktaş, Founding President of the TRNC, and Dr. Fazıl Küçük, Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community, and continued with a visit to the sister city, Nicosia Turkish Municipality. Tugay said, “It is a great pleasure for us to be on this beautiful island and in this beautiful city.” He is also scheduled to meet Tufan Erhürman, President of the TRNC, today.
During the two-day visit, Tugay held a series of meetings, including his visit to Nicosia Turkish Municipality. He was accompanied by the presidents and members of the İzmir and Ödemiş branches of the War Veterans Association. Tugay began the day by visiting the mausoleums of Denktaş and Küçük, before meeting Mehmet Harmancı, Mayor of Nicosia Turkish Municipality, at his office.

Memorial visits and official meetings
On the first day, Tugay and the delegation laid wreaths at the mausoleums of Dr. Fazıl Küçük and Rauf Denktaş and signed the memorial book. Following the visits, the delegations of the sister cities came together under the hosting of Nicosia Turkish Municipality.

“Cyprus is special for all of us”
Emphasizing the importance of the visit, Tugay noted that Cyprus holds a special place for people in Türkiye and highlighted the island’s historical significance. Referring to the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for existence, he underlined the leadership of figures such as Rauf Denktaş and described the intervention carried out following the decision of then Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit as a historic step still remembered with pride.

“Thank you for your solidarity and hospitality”
Tugay also highlighted the sister city protocol signed between İzmir and Nicosia in 2019, describing it as highly valuable. Recalling Harmancı’s earlier visit to İzmir, he said mutual visits and cooperation would continue to grow. He added that areas for joint projects would be discussed and stressed that İzmir stands by Nicosia and Cyprus. Concluding his remarks, Tugay said, “It is a great pleasure for us to be on this beautiful island and in this beautiful city. Thank you for your solidarity and hospitality.”

Harmancı: We have always felt İzmir’s support
Mehmet Harmancı welcomed the delegation, stating that relations between the two cities have developed steadily since 2019 and would continue to strengthen. He noted that cooperation deepened during the pandemic, including through digital platforms, and said they had consistently felt İzmir’s support, both in cultural activities and major events such as the İzmir Fair.
Harmancı also pointed out that young people in Northern Cyprus have long faced isolation in international engagement and representation, adding that strengthening ties with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality is an important step in this regard. He concluded by expressing hope for justice in Türkiye and reaffirmed their solidarity in the shared struggle for democracy.

Visit to Sports and Solidarity Park
Harmancı and Tugay also visited the site of the Sports and Brotherhood Park project in the Kaymaklı area. During the visit, Harmancı briefed Tugay on the project, and three olive saplings were planted in memory of Cemal Tugay, a Cyprus veteran and the father of Dr. Cemil Tugay.
The mayors toured the 30,000-square-meter site and emphasized the project’s contribution to sports infrastructure. Harmancı underlined their aim to make use of the transformative power of sports, especially for young people. The project, with an estimated investment of 100 million TL, will include football fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, a cycling and walking track, a fitness hall, and children’s playgrounds.

Visits across Nicosia
The delegation also visited the Surlariçi area, where Harmancı provided information on historical sites and ongoing municipal projects. The mayors met with local tradespeople in Bandabuliya and Arasta and concluded the day with a visit to the Boğaz Martyrs’ Memorial, where Tugay laid a wreath.

Meeting with President Erhürman
Tugay will continue his engagements with visits to the Nicosia Turkish Municipality’s Yeni Dünya +1 Café and El Ele Nursery. He will also sign a cooperation protocol with Harmancı on the development of sports and recreational areas and meet with Tufan Erhürman, President of the TRNC.

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