The UCLG-MEWA delegation, headed by Mehmet DUMAN, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General, paid official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), between 20-22 January 2019, in order to strengthen institutional relations.
Initially starting his official contacts in Union of Turkish Municipalities of Cyprus (UTMC), Mehmet DUMAN, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General, came together with Mahmut ÖZÇINAR, President of UTMC and Mayor of Güzelyurt; İlker EDİP, Mayor of Beyarmudu; and Hüseyin KÖLE, Secretary of International Delegation.
Secretary General DUMAN expressed his pleasure in being TRNC and he emphasized the significance of empowering relations with local governments, expanding the area of representation, and conducting more active studies in the meeting which held on 21 January 2019 at the Central Office of Union.
Referring to the Pilot Project on Mapping the Sustainable Development Goals in Turkey, Secretary General Duman added that it is important to have similar studies across the TRNC and the local authorities in the TRNC should take more active role in UCLG-MEWA activities.
Later, Mahmut ÖZÇINAR, President of UTMC and Mayor of Güzelyurt, stated that strengthening of existing relations through the joint studies is very significant for the local governments in TRNC and TRNC.
The second visit of the day was held to the Turkish Embassy in Lefkoşa. UCLG-MEWA and UTMC delegations were hosted by Fatih ÖZTÜRK, Undersecretary.
Undersecretary ÖZTÜRK was informed about the activities carried out by UCLG-MEWA with the local authorities in the region, the governing structure of the organization, and its members. Parties specifically discussed the studies on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The next address of the official meetings was the Municipality of Girne. UCLG-MEWA and UTMC Delegations visited Nidai GÜNGÖRDÜ, Mayor of Girne, in his office and gave general information on the activities of the committees of UCLG-MEWA. Tourism potential of Municipality of Girne was among top issues of negotiations. In this regard, it is deliberated that, the UCLG-MEWA Committees may be addressed to capitalize this potential.
Later, Nidai GÜNGÖRDÜ, Mayor of Girne stated that; they are very excited about the possible cooperation and they will start the necessary works for this as soon as possible.
Participating in the visits in Girne, Mehmet HULUSİOĞLU, Mayor of Çatalköy, underlined that the world is progressing very rapidly in municipality.
After the meeting with the Mayors; the delegation visited Ayşegül BAYBARS, TRNC Interior Minister, Vice Prime Minister, and Kudret ÖZERSAY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in their offices.
In both meetings, the activities of UCLG-MEWA in the areas of local governments were explained. It was shared with the Ministers that, it would be useful for TRNC to conduct a project similar to the UCLG-MEWA Pilot Project on Mapping the Sustainable Development Goals in Turkey.
On the second day of the meetings, the delegation firstly visited Hasan SADIKOĞLU, Mayor of İskele. After this visit, delegation went to Beyarmudu Municipality.
In this meeting, İlker EDİP, Mayor of Beyarmudu gave information about the activities of the Municipality of Beyarmudu, and he underlined the importance of strengthening relations with local governments and UTMC. Following the meeting, the delegation made technical visit to the South Mesarya Social Facilities.
Within the context of these visits, Mehmet DUMAN, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General, underlined the possible partnership opportunities to be built on the works of the UCLG-MEWA Committee on Gender Equality. In this regard; Mahmut ÖZÇINAR, UTMC President and Mayor of Güzelyurt; Nidai GÜNGÖRDÜ, Mayor of Girne; Mehmet HULUSİOĞLU, Mayor of Çatalköy; Hasan SADIKOĞLU, Mayor of İskele; and İlker EDİP, Mayor of Beyarmudu signed the Commitment of Localization of Sustainable Development Goal 5 of the UCLG-MEWA Committee on Gender Equality.