In Athens from today, the Presidency of the Network of Balkan Cities

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Kostas Bakoyiannis opened the curtain of the Synod taking the baton from the mayor of Constantinople

The baton of the Presidency of the Network of Balkan Cities, Athens takes over from today.

From Technopolis, “a remarkable example of urban transformation, where an old Fotaeri factory has literally been transformed into the most vibrant multi-purpose cultural center in the heart of the capital”, as the mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, characteristically described in his greeting, the curtain opened for the Summit of the Balkan Network B 40 Cities (B40 Balkan Cities Network).

The B40 Balkan Cities Network was established in November 2021 in Istanbul, with the aim of strengthening peace and democracy in the Balkan region, as well as the cooperation of its members in the fields of economy, innovation, sustainable development and culture.

More than 70 representatives of Local Government from all over the Balkans, visited Athens, while very important is the representation of Greek Municipalities, such as Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Trikkaia, Patras, Chalkida, Kalamata, Chania, Nikaia-Ag. Ioannis Rentis, Kallithea, Nea Smyrni, Kifissia, Ag. Dimitriou, Aigaleo, Zografou, P. Faliro, Korydallos, Pallini, Veria, Kozani, Karditsa, Rethymnon, Corinth, Mytilini, Chios, Corfu, Argos, Orestiada, Lefkada, Karpenisiou, Pylaia-Hortiati, Thermaikos, Kileler. All, with the aim of creating a common path for peace, progress and prosperity in the Balkan region.

The host, the mayor of Athens, Costas Bakoyiannis, in the warm welcome he addressed to his counterparts, emphasized that “our peoples are perhaps closer than ever. To put it bluntly, anachronistic and revisionist methods, micropolitics and populist narratives do not express the peoples of the Balkans. What’s more, they don’t express themselves with “dailies” and threats”, he noted, to add that “the Balkans does not only mean confrontation. Balkans does not only mean tension”, while addressing the mayor he pointed out that “we are able to effectively interpret the feelings of our people. And to do this unadulterated and unfiltered, without distortions without colored lenses. And we know very well that no child is born with hatred for another, regardless of ethnicity, religion or origin. These are stereotypes that serve other dark purposes.”

Mr. Bakoyiannis, after welcoming the large participation both from the Balkans and from our country in the Synod, emphasized that “the most important element is one. Open and productive dialogue between neighbors. The direct channel of society opened by this Summit is a huge opportunity – more than 100 bilateral meetings of municipalities are planned during the day – and this contact brings understanding, understanding brings support and in turn brings stability, brings progress”.

Then the mayor of Istanbul addressed a greeting Ekrem Imamoglou, who handed over to Athens the baton of the Presidency of the B40 Balkan Cities Network. In recent years, the two mayors have built a strong “bridge” of cooperation, in an effort to strengthen Greek-Turkish friendship and bring the two peoples together.

Mr. Imamoglu extended a hand of friendship and cooperation to the Balkansemphasizing that the peoples of the Balkans should condemn populism wherever it comes from because it is the enemy of Democracy.

He noted that in recent times we have seen an increase in populism at many levels and what needs to be done in concert is to develop a substantial bridge of cooperation and friendship between peoples.

He also thanked the mayor of Athens, Costas Bakoyannis, for his valuable contribution to this whole effort, which – as it turns out – is receiving a great and great response.

The work of the Synod is expected to be completed tomorrow.

RES-EMP

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