B40 Balkan Mayors Summit: improving cooperation between the cities of the region

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The B40 Balkan Mayors Summit, an event that bringd together mayors of 24 cities from 11 countries, started yesterday at the Istanbul Congress Center.

Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu gave an introductory speech in which he expressed his optimistic views of the future of the Balkan region: “For years, the word ‘Balkanization’ has been used to describe ethnic divisions, border disputes and conflicts. Nevertheless, we are here today to make a fresh start for our region. We have met for stronger cooperation and to build a better future together. Vital issues we face as local governments, such as environmental and climate problems, the refugee crisis, energy management and the aspirations of a progressive democracy are global topics that transcend local borders.

Mayor İmamoğlu continued: “Within this framework, we are taking the first step towards developing the B40 Balkan Cities Network together with you. The goal of the meeting is to improve the cooperation between local governments and contribute to regional development. Just as it is a simple fact that the sun rises from the east, it is also obvious that Europe started from Istanbul and the Balkans.

He concluded: “The multinational, multi-identity and pluralistic democracy model represented by the European Union is an ideal for all of us. Human rights, the rule of law, the culture of consensus and freedoms are a common goal for millions of people who live in our cities. These common goals are the foundation of the B40 network.” 

Alongside the host mayor of Istanbul, mayors of Belgrade, Budapest, Sarajevo, Athens, Podgorica, Kotor, Split, Tirana, Skopje, Patra, Shkoder, Pula are also taking part in the meeting, as well as many other mayors from Greece, Turkey and Albania.

Mayor of Pula Filip Zoričić said: “Such conferences are an excellent opportunity to establish and improve cooperation between the cities of the region. I expect that the summit will provide a great platform for exchanging our experiences and strengthening cooperation in various fields”. 

Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Zervas stated via social media: “We laid the foundation for strengthening the relations between the cities in the Balkan region here in Istanbul. In the works of the B40 Balkan Cities Network Summit, I mentioned the necessity of adopting common policies to address a series of common challenges and talked about the dynamics and development prospects of Thessaloniki. Peace, development and cooperation of the Balkan cities is a common commitment.”

Mayor of Split Ivica Puljak addressed a speech earlier in the morning in which he emphasized, among other things, the importance of cooperation, peace, development and future views in the region of cities with a long and rich history.

Split delegation will also take part in a round table on “Smart Cities and Digital Transformation” as well as bilateral meetings in order to contribute to the discussion on the topic: “Economic Cooperation of Balkan Cities”.

 

Photo credit: city of Split