B40 Balkan Cities Network Permanent Secretary and Head of the Foreign Relations Department at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), Barbaros Büyüksağnak, held separate meetings with the mayors of Tekirdağ, Edirne, and Kırklareli on January 15, 2025. These visits are part of an ongoing series aimed at strengthening communication and cooperation between the B40 Network and its Turkish members, following earlier meetings with the mayors of Çanakkale and Izmir.
Mayor Candan Yüceer of Tekirdağ, who also serves as the President of the Union of Municipalities of Thrace, expressed her satisfaction with the visit. She highlighted how Tekirdağ’s B40 membership has facilitated important steps toward solving shared challenges. Mayor Yüceer emphasized the potential of idea exchange and joint projects to leverage the strengths of local administrations more effectively.
Edirne Mayor Filiz Gencan Akın noted that the B40 Network serves as a vital platform for bringing together Balkan cities and fostering collaboration.
Meanwhile, Kırklareli Mayor Derya Bulut discussed the positive impact of B40 on local initiatives in Kırklareli.
In all three cities, the importance of maintaining open communication channels among Balkan cities and developing exemplary projects was emphasized.
During his visits, Barbaros Büyüksağnak underlined the significant role Turkish cities play within the Network and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation under the B40 umbrella.