Information and Experience Sharing Program named ‘TDBB Tatarstan Member Municipalities’ organized in cooperation of Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB), Presidency of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Municipalities of Beykoz, Beyoglu, Eyupsultan, Osmangazi, İSKİ, Kiptaş, İstanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism and Culture A.Ş. was completed with presentations and field trips in Bursa and Istanbul between 13-21 October 2018.
Vladimir Kozonkov, Vice-President of the Municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan Deputy Mayor of Alkeyev Rashit Bilalov, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Laishev Tatiana Burganova, Deputy Mayor of Sarmanov Municipality Guzel Garaeva, Deputy Mayor of Buin Municipality Ildar Eremeev, Deputy Mayor of Kukmor Raviia Karımullina, Deputy Mayor of Tetyushi Municipality Evgenii Kurkov, Deputy Mayor of Bugulma Municipality Fanis Mukhametov, Deputy Mayor of Menzelin Kamil Nazmiev, Deputy Mayor of Baltasin Municipality Nail Sabirzanov, Deputy Mayor of Leninogorod Sergei Timakov, Deputy Mayor of Spasski Sergei Tiunev, Deputy Mayor of Tyulyachi Municipality Airat Fatkhullin, Deputy Mayor of Kaybis Ramis Khayaliev and Deputy Mayor of Visokogorsii Municipality Anas Shakirov attended the program.
On the first day of the program, the delegation visited the Osmangazi Municipality on Monday, October 15, 2018, and met with Mayor Mustafa Dündar. The delegation then listened to a presentation on ”Activities for Domestic and Foreign Tourists” and “Activities for Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Municipalities” after which field trips were made.
On the second day of the program, participants met with İsmet Yıldırım at their visit to KİPTAŞ. They listen to a presentation about “Housing Production and Urban Transformation Projects in Municipalities” after which field visits were conducted. In the afternoon the same day, participants visited TDBB headquarters. The delegation, that met with the Secretary-General Fahri Solak was informed about the activities of the TDBB. After leaving the TDBB the delegation paid a visit to Panorama 1453 Museum and the Turkish World Cultural Houses.
On the third day of the program, the delegation visited Beykoz Municipality and met with the Mayor Yücel Çelikbilek. Then they watched a presentation about “Finance and Budget Management in Municipalities” and made a field trip afterward. On the same day in the afternoon, the delegation visited the Beyoğlu Municipality and met with Vice President Yasin Balcı. The delegation watched the presentation about “Coordination of Touristic Activities in Beyoğlu”.
On the fourth day of the program, the participants visited İSKİ and listened to the presentation on “Water and Waste Water Management in Municipalities” and made field visits afterward. The program continued with the visit to Eyüpsultan Municipality. The delegation met with the Mayor of Eyüpsultan Remzi Aydın and watched the presentation about “Faith and Culture Tourism” in Eyüp Başkan and conducted a field visit.
On the fifth day of the program, on Friday, October 19, 2018, the delegation visited IBB Avrupa Park Gardens Directorate and watched the presentation about “Green Space Management in Municipalities” and conducted a field visit afterward. On the afternoon of the same day, the program continued with the visit to Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, where presentation titled “Tourism Activities in Istanbul” was presented, which was followed by the visits to Basilica Cistern and the historical texture.
Closing Dinner and the Certificate Ceremony
The closing dinner and certificate ceremony of the program was held at the Belgrade Gate facilities of Zeytinburnu Municipality. Beside Tatar delegation, the ceremony was attended by Vice Chairman and TDBB Zeytinburnu Mayor Murat Aydın and Secretary-General of the TDBB Fahri Solak, as well as the Tatarstan Turkey Representative Ayrat Gataullina.
Zeytinburnu Mayor Murat Aydin in his speech at the dinner said, “We are happy to host you in our country. We care about the relations with Tatarstan and strive for a stronger cooperation. As a union, we closely cooperate with Tatarstan. We want you to feel at home here. I hope the program was useful. Thank you for coming”.
Vladimir Kozonkov, Vice-President of the Union of Municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan said, “We want to see the development of relations between Turkey and Tatarstan. As the Union of Municipalities of Tatarstan, we are ready to make our best efforts. The program was very useful for us. I would like to thank all those who took a part”.
TDBB General Secretary Fahri Solak said, “I would like to thank the top executives from municipalities who took one-week time to participate in the program. I thank the Union of Municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan and Tatarstan Representative Office in Turkey for their cooperation in this organization. As a TDBB we are ready to do our part in 2019 Russia-Turkey Tourism Year, regarding the development of Tatarstan-Turkey relations.”
The delegation visited Istanbul’s historical and touristic places on Saturday, October 20, 2018. The program was completed on Sunday, October 21, 2018, with the delegation returning to their country.
