“WE EXPRESS OUR SOLIDARITY WITH ALL MAYORS DEPRIVED OF THEIR FREEDOMS”
The Türkiye-Germany Sister Cities Summit, organized in collaboration between the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT) and the German Association of Cities (Deutscher Städtetag), was held at the Istanbul Congress Center.
The summit was attended by Director for Southeastern Europe, Türkiye, OSCE and the Council of Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office Ambassador Michael Reiffenstuel, Deputy Mayor of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Nuri Aslan, Mayor of Cologne Henriette Reker, Vice President of the German Association of Cities and Mayor of Hannover Belit Onay, UMT Deputy President and Mayor of Adana Metropolitan Municipality Zeydan Karalar, along with many other mayors from Türkiye and Germany.
A Joint Declaration from Mayors
Coinciding with the 101st anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between Türkiye and Germany, the summit also bore historic significance. A joint declaration was signed by the participating mayors. The declaration emphasized that the summit was not only a reflection of the diplomatic ties between the two countries but also a manifestation of solidarity and shared democratic values among their peoples:
“As mayors from Türkiye and Germany, we gathered in Istanbul to strengthen mutual understanding, dialogue, and cooperation between our cities. This Summit is a testament not only to the 100-year diplomatic relations between our countries but also to the solidarity between our peoples and our shared democratic values.
Cities are the places where democracy and freedoms are lived and protected. As the institutions where the public will is directly represented, fundamental rights are defended, and participatory democracy is realized, local governments play a crucial role in building free and just societies.
With this awareness, we declare our commitment to the following core principles:
- The ability of local governments and elected representatives to freely and independently carry out their legal duties is an indispensable element of democratic order. We are determined to defend the will of the people against all forms of pressure and interference.
- Freedom of expression, the right to vote and be elected, and the principles of fair trial must be guaranteed for all citizens and local officials. These principles form the foundation of democratic society.
- By promoting cooperation among cities, we commit not only to sharing good practices but also to strengthening our shared democratic values.
On this occasion, we openly express our solidarity with all mayors who have been elected by the people but are deprived of their freedoms. In particular, we extend our heartfelt support to Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu and remind the world that defending the will of the people, the rule of law, and local democracy is a universal responsibility.
As mayors, we believe that in the face of today's challenges, our cities must take on global responsibilities. With this Joint Declaration, we express our will to build stronger city partnerships that contribute to democracy and social progress.”
Joint Solutions to Global Challenges
Following the opening remarks, the summit continued with a session titled “Cities as Strong Forces of Democracy and Freedom.”
In this session, discussions centered around the potential of local governments to build more inclusive and accountable cities based on the principles of transparency, participation, and good governance, while also seeking joint solutions to global problems. One of the key topics on the mayors' agenda was the detention of UMT and IMM President Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Mayors Sent Messages of Solidarity to İmamoğlu
UMT Executive Board Member and Mayor of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Ayşe Ünlüce stated that İmamoğlu was enthusiastic about both strengthening sister city relations and the summit itself, adding: “Maintaining friendship and dialogue is crucial in the face of global challenges. Without democracy, we cannot tackle any of the problems facing cities or the world. These relationships are vital for the advancement of democracy. Democracy is not only a political issue but also a fundamental part of local governance.”
UMT Executive Board Member and Mayor of Adıyaman Municipality Abdurrahman Tutdere used the summit to call upon German cities for a sister city partnership with Adıyaman. Diyarbakır followed suit, with UMT Executive Board Member and Mayor of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Ayşe Serra Bucak Küçük noting that the city does not yet have a German sister city and expressing a desire to renew its ties with Hannover.
Speaking during the session, Mayor pf İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Cemil Tugay emphasized that the world is currently facing a global crisis. He explained that the aim of their gathering as local leaders was to collaboratively identify and address urban issues. Antalya Metropolitan Mayor Muhittin Böcek highlighted that sister city relationships form bridges not only between municipalities but also between cultures and peoples, and he expressed hope for stronger ties between Türkiye and Germany. Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras remarked, “We are going through a time when democracy in our country is being severely tested. This is one of the most critical turning points in our Republic's history. During this period, we demand the release of unjustly detained mayors, foremost among them Ekrem İmamoğlu.”
Thomas Benz, Mayor of Darmstadt, emphasized the importance of solidarity among local governments and the need to further develop sister city relations. Karin Welge, Mayor of Gelsenkirchen, handed a letter of support addressed to İmamoğlu to UMT Executive Board Member and Mayor of Büyükçekmece Municipality Hasan Akgün. Ina Satu Hauck, a council member from Frankfurt am Main Municipality, also underlined the importance of inter-municipal cooperation.
Mayors Gathered at the Basilica Cistern
The summit, which aimed to strengthen ties between cities of the two countries and redefine the role of local governments in democratic transformation, concluded with a reception at the iconic Basilica Cistern in İstanbul.
Speaking at the reception, Zeydan Karalar stated that global challenges are making the world more complex and forcing local governments into greater solidarity. He emphasized, “Our democracies and fundamental values are under threat. As local governments, I want to highlight that solidarity is more important now than ever.”
Karalar emphasized the crucial role of intercity cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change, migration, urban poverty, and inequality of opportunity. He added, “In a time when we strive to develop solutions to these challenges, the fact that even our most basic values are under threat does not discourage us-it motivates us even more.”
Karalar concluded by highlighting the significance of the Joint Declaration adopted during the summit, which reaffirmed commitment to democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law:
“It is our greatest hope that this Summit strengthens the spirit of partnership between our local governments and marks the beginning of bold steps toward the future. This united call rising from Istanbul, the cradle of history and culture, is the clearest expression of our commitment to democracy, freedoms, and human rights. I truly believe this meaningful gathering will pave the way for deeper cooperation and future projects.”