With a particularly symbolic visit to Acropolis Museumwhat is the most symbolic milestone in the history of democracy and the recognition of the municipality as a state body, was given on Sunday, January 22, the start of the Summit of the Balkan Cities Network B40 (Balkan Cities Network B40), whose work will be held in the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 January.

OUR mayor of Athensas the host of the Synod, as well as the next President of the Network for 2023, having received the baton from his Istanbul colleague Ekrem Imamoglu, welcomed 69 mayors from 73 cities from 10 Balkan countries to the Museum.

At a dinner at the Acropolis Museum, Mr. Bakoyannis, addressing his distinguished guests, warmly welcoming them to Athens, spoke about the very important role that the Network plays in the stability of the region, especially in the current turbulent and difficult period. where we are going. He highlighted the common vision he shares with Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. After all, two mayors are at the center of this initiative to build the B40 network in the Balkans.

Mr. Bakoyannis on this occasion sent a message to those who see the future of the Balkans in gloomy colors, highlighting how 73 cities from 10 countries support each other, united in a fist, and setting an example and a dynamic response against fragmentation, cultivating solidarity. This, stressed the mayor of Athens, is the best way to keep a balance and a steady course in unstable times and fight corrosive cynicism, isolation and stubbornness. As Mr. Bakoyannis emphasized today, we are all “interdependent and if we do not support each other, there will be no stability.”

At the same time, Mr. Bakoyannis emphasized the importance of expanding the Network for the development of cities and the well-being of citizens. “It is a great honor for me to welcome you to Athens one year after the start of the realization of our common vision with Ekrem.” He also emphasized that, one year after its inception, the network is constantly growing and paving the way for a sustainable shared future for the people of the region. According to Mr. Bakoyannis, the B40 Network is a unique opportunity for the municipalities of the southeastern region of Europe to deepen their relations and cooperation, they will build networks of solidarity and partnership, which in turn will establish bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between people. Important initiatives that the municipalities of the Balkans can jointly develop can address a number of issues related to the economy, sustainability and sustainable development, innovation, culture and even international relations.

The Mayor of Athens stressed the importance of Athens taking over the B40 Network Presidency from Athens, sending a message of unity and pride to the peoples of the Balkans, emphasizing the need for a common path. At the same time, the Mayor of Athens took the opportunity of having his important guests present at the Acropolis Museum to highlight the problem of the Parthenon sculptures. As Mr. Bakoyannis noted, their reunion in Athens is a strengthening of the very concept of democracy: “Democracy is a common choice. He was born in Athens and has the Parthenon as his symbol,” he said and asked those present to look at the Monument-symbol of the city, which today looks at us wounded and emphasizes the inability to protect the integrity of the world. cultural heritage. Which is one of the goals of the Web, leaving aside selfish views and petty interests. In fact, as he pointed out, the reunification of the sculptures is not a Greco-British affair and does not concern international relations, but a global problem, which is primarily related to how people relate to and accept concepts such as Western culture and history. After all, a tour of the premises of the Museum was organized, where foreign and Greek mayors were informed about the exhibits, but at the same time they were given the opportunity, in addition to admiring these incomparable works of art, to reflect on their eternal importance. Because these monuments are not only direct evidence of the first form of democracy and the functioning of the municipality as a city and state, but at the same time suggestive of the various forms that the concept of the municipality, direct participatory democracy, has taken part in the common good and its management over the centuries. .

Representations that in our time, in the face of rapid changes taking place in cities, in their urban, residential and demographic structure, as well as major geopolitical restructuring, are becoming more relevant than ever. Changes in urban reality, as they must be managed by modern municipalities, also require greater cooperation that goes beyond narrow national boundaries. And the creation of a network of B40 Balkan cities meets this need.

Source: APE/MEB