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A VISIT TO THE SISTER CITY PRIZREN BY BODRUM MUNICIPALITY

17.08.2023

A delegation from Bodrum Municipality paid an official visit to Prizren, Kosovo, in response to an invitation extended by Prizren Municipality.

Following the Sister City Protocol signed on July 13th, 2023 between Bodrum Municipality and Prizren Municipality, a delegation representing Bodrum Municipality paid an official visit to the city of Prizren in the Republic of Kosovo.

The delegation included Ms. Emel Çakaloğlu, Acting Mayor & Municipal Council Member, Municipal Council Members Ayşenaz Gültekin Öncel, Yunus Aslanparçası, Mustafa Çortoğlu, Mustafa Coşkun, Numan Cömert, the Director of Press, Publications, & Public Relations Kenan Apaydın; Gürkan Topan, the member of the BODTO Board and entrepreneur and Cenk Sezgin, an entrepreneur, who has investments in both cities. They were present on behalf of Bodrum Municipality.

During their visit to Prizren, they met with Mayor Shaqir Totaj, Turkish Consul General in Prizren Celal Doğan, and Antigona Bytyqi, President of the Prizren Municipal Council. The delegation also engaged in discussions with political party representatives from the Prizren Municipal Council, including Ardit Krasniqi, Dafina Alishani, Levent Bush (representing KDTP–Turkish Party), Haziz Hodaj, and Sead Arifi.

The discussions primarily focused on the satisfaction expressed by both Prizren and Bodrum regarding their establishment as sister cities. They deliberated on potential collaborations in the upcoming period aimed at enhancing bilateral relations in areas such as tourism, trade, and cultural arts. Furthermore, they exchanged insights regarding the administrative structure of Prizren Municipality, while also addressing Bodrum's tourism performance. The possibility of implementing strategies for effective promotion of tourism for both Prizren and Bodrum was also explored.

Mr. Mayor Totaj emphasized the significance of expanding direct flight options to Bodrum. He proposed the drafting of a joint statement, to be endorsed by a consortium of municipalities, including local representatives from Kosovo. This statement could then be presented to the leadership of Turkish Airlines (THY) and Pegasus Airlines. He further urged Bodrum Municipality to actively contribute to this endeavor.

The delegation also took the opportunity to visit the Motrat Qırıazı (Kiriazi Sisters) primary and middle school, the Kosovo Turkish Teachers Association, and the Right Path Turkish Art Association. During these visits, the Bodrum Municipality delegation gathered insights into the Turkish education and teaching framework in Kosovo, particularly in Prizren. They generously donated 160 sets of school materials to the Kosovo Turkish Teachers Association for distribution among students receiving Turkish education.