A common message in favor of strengthening the cooperation and solidarity of the peoples was sent today, during the opening of the park in Istanbul, by Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, under the burden of yesterday’s provocation by the Turkish authorities, who did not allow the Governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tsitsikosta, to land in Izmir, where he will chair the Euro-Mediterranean ARLEM Conference.

Today at the opening of the park of regional cooperation of the Balkan cities in Istanbul.
Friendship and cooperation is our answer to cynical nationalism, aggression, militancy.
Watch the video here👇https://t.co/JlmVKospfs

— Kostas Bakoyannis (@KBakoyannis) November 6, 2022

In his speech, Kostas Bakoyannis noted that it is easy to destroy but difficult to build, pointing out that cities can act as ambassadors of common values, the reality of citizens and the strength of peoples: “Even turbulent times require us to experience. To multiple and successive crises, our response cannot be withdrawal and alienation. But interaction and solidarity.[…] This is our response to those who exploit our national sensibilities. Let them hear us from here. Let us be heard from Istanbul. At the crossroads of cultures. Greeks, Turks, Bulgarians, Bosnians, Croats and many others who could not be with us today. Now we are joining our voices in sending a clear message: no to short-sighted political opportunism. No cynical nationalism. There is no aggression and militancy. What unites us is much greater than what divides us.”

The two mayors, who in recent years have built a solid “bridge” of cooperation to strengthen the Greek-Turkish friendship during an extremely critical period, mentioned the important role of local government in promoting peace and solidarity, emphasizing that municipalities are the closest democratic institution in society.

Regarding yesterday’s episode with the regional governor of Central Macedonia in Smyrna, Mr. Bakoyannis said: “Unnecessary and senseless provocations, such as yesterday’s against his friend and fellow self-government regional governor of Macedonia, are regrettable. But they strengthen our resolve. And let’s swim against the current. Thus, I will be very happy to reciprocate within a year the visit of my friend the mayor of Smyrna to Athens, which I am definitely postponing now with Ekrem Imamoglu,” adding, “Today we decided to follow a different path. Not fear, extremism and discord, but hope, moderation and unity. We are following the path blazed by Eleftherios Venizelos and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk when, in 1934, after years of violence and bloodshed, Venizelos proposed that Atatürk be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We choose peace and friendship. Consciously. Clearly.”

For his part, the mayor of Istanbul preferred to comment on yesterday’s incident in a special way, characteristically saying that “what upset my dear friend Kostas upset me too.” “Our esteemed guest, who came to the program organized by the Mayor of Smyrna, Mr. Tunk Sawyer, unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding and a technical problem, as a result of which he was not given permission (entrance), also upset us. I hope that the intentions behind this incident, which are designed to spoil relations between the two countries, will not take other steps. Yesterday’s treatment of Mr. Tsitsikosta is unacceptable. I hope that the authorities of both countries will not allow the recurrence of such problems. Because friendship, brotherhood and cooperation are needed on both sides of the Aegean. Peace in the Aegean is absolutely essential.”

“I am happy to be in Istanbul today. In this beautiful and unique city, whose rich and glorious history makes the hearts of many people around the world, especially us Greeks, beat a little faster. […] As mayors, we fight to make cities more open, greener, friendlier, fairer and more humane. […] But this is not just another park, just like another opening ceremony. We have gathered today around the brotherhood tree, which is a symbol of friendship and solidarity of the Balkan cities,” Mr. Bakoyannis emphasized.

Mayors of the cities of Pula in Croatia, Sarajevo and Laktashi in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sofia, Plovdiv, Svilengrad and Stara Zagora in Bulgaria also took part in the opening of the park.

Source: RES-IPE