Soyer: “There is no municipality in Turkey that completed 87 percent of its promises”
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer attended the meeting invited by the non-governmental organisations and townsmen associations in the city to express their support. Speaking at the programme, Mayor Tunç Soyer said, "We have completed 87 percent of the projects we promised. There is no such municipality in Turkey." Mehmet Aydoğan, President of the Union of Konyans Associations Federation, said, "I hope you will be a candidate again. Our hearts want it that way."
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer attended the meeting invited by non-governmental organisations and hometown associations in the city to express their support. At the meeting at Karşıyaka Denizpark Cafe, Mayor Tunç Soyer was given a plaque of appreciation for his support to non-governmental organisations. Mehmet Aydoğan, President of the Union of Konyans Associations Federation, stated that they wanted President Tunç Soyer to be nominated again in the local elections and said, "You said many colours, many breaths. You did not separate people because of their hometown or party. You embraced all Anatolian people. You supported everyone as much as you could. You made the biggest investments in the history of the Republic. Buca and Narlıdere Metro, Çiğli Tramway... Serious investments were made in infrastructure. I would like to give a plaque of thanks to our mayor for his extraordinary services. I hope you will be a candidate again. Our hearts want it that way," he said.
"It gives the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes"
During the programme, representatives of non-governmental organisations congratulated President Tunç Soyer on his election as the President of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Assembly of Regions. President Soyer, stating that this is an important duty, said the following: "I have been appointed as the President of the Assembly of a structure where 130 thousand local governments from 46 countries are represented. This has two meanings. One is that geography is destiny and we will continue to work side by side and intertwined with Europe. We have no other choice. A very large part of exports and imports are made with Europe. But our relationship with Europe is only an activity relationship. In other words, they take a decision. Our manufacturers and exporters manufacture and export in accordance with that decision. So why are we absent from these decision-making mechanisms? The Presidency of the Assembly of Regions gives us the opportunity to intervene in those decision-making processes."
"We will have created two great benefits for Izmir and Turkey"
Emphasising that another important aspect of his election as the President of the Assembly of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is the grants, Mayor Soyer said: "All local governments and non-governmental organisations are constantly trying to apply for the calls, funds and grants made by Europe. Now we will not run after them. We will be at the point of deciding how much those calls will be opened to Izmir and Turkey, and with what budgets they will be opened. We will create two great benefits for Izmir and Turkey. Here, we are putting forward our will to intervene in the preparation of the legislation and to open funds and grant resources to Izmir. We will try to fulfil this task with great pride. At the moment, I am sitting in the most senior seat of Turkey in Europe. Therefore, I am proud of this," he said.
He explained the rail system investments
Explaining the investments of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Mayor Soyer said, "We are working on 3 different rail system lines together. There has never been such a thing in the history of Izmir. Buca Metro was a project that I committed to in my candidacy declaration when I was a candidate in the 2019 elections. I remember that there were friends who laughed at this project at that time. I remember that there were those who said, 'Don't throw from such a height, mayor'. Buca Metro will be completed ahead of time and will be the biggest investment in history for Izmir. It will also be the most efficient investment. When the construction is finished, the repayment of the financing source we have found will begin. The repayment will be made by the organisation itself without any money coming out of anyone's pocket. We will carry 400 thousand passengers a day. It is an investment with an annual turnover of 45 million Euros. It will pay for itself. No money will come out of the pockets of the state, the municipality or the citizens. We will open the Narlıdere Metro on 14 February. We are opening the Çiğli Tramway at the beginning of February. All these are running together," he said.
"I know that the prudent people of Izmir see this"
Underlining that especially the Gulf of Izmir is extremely important for the city, Mayor Soyer said the following: "We have invested 11 billion liras in the Gulf. We cut the odour with this investment. You will see that it will become a sparkling, swimmable sea. An odour-free and swimmable Gulf increases the brand and competitive power of tourism, agriculture and industry. Most of our investments are underground, but I know that the prudent and discreet people of Izmir see this. We have built half of the rainwater canals in the history of the Republic in 4 years. There were 600 kilometres of rainwater canals in Izmir. We built more than 300 kilometres of rainwater channels in 4 and a half years. Despite the pandemic, earthquakes, fires and floods..."
"I have secured a low-interest, long-term financing source"
Stating that they have realised 87 per cent of the projects they promised, Mayor Soyer said, "Look, there is no such municipality in Turkey. There is no municipality that has realised 87 percent of its promised projects. Within 5 years, I obtained 1 billion Euros of very low-interest, long-term financing from abroad. Well, why am I telling you all this? How did I find 1 billion Euros? The factor that creates Izmir's credibility and grows its power in international markets is that the city is multi-coloured, multi-voiced and breathable."
"Izmir is much stronger and richer than anywhere else in Turkey"
Emphasising once again the importance of polyphony in his speech, Mayor Soyer said, "We derive all our richness from the existence of these differences. Whenever these differences are being polished, made similar to each other and the differences are eliminated, the poorer we become. Therefore, your existence is the reason for the enrichment of this city. We were able to get that source of financing, that reliability because we defended your existence. That is why Izmir is much stronger and richer than anywhere else in Turkey. It embraces its ancestors much more. It embraces the values of the Republic much more. Izmiris are aware of the reasons that bring them closer to each other rather than the political differences between them. I am glad you are here, you are very valuable. We will establish a civil society campus. If we cannot bring your richness to the decision-making processes of the city, the city will be incomplete. I will do whatever I can to increase your representation.”
13.12.2023