Ambassador Babür Hızlan was received by Marko Filipović, mayor of Rijeka, Ana Trošelj, president of the Rijeka City Council and Vojko Braut, deputy president of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the reception was also attended by the president and vice president of the Croatian-Turkish Society, Rijeka, respectively Zlatan Bakalović and Esma Halepović Đečević.

This is not the first visit of the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Rijeka, and as the Mayor of Rijeka Marko Filipović emphasised, cooperation between the City of Rijeka and the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Zagreb is exceptionally correct and dynamic. Filipović briefed Ambassador Babür Hızlan on several major infrastructural projects currently underway in Rijeka, such as the construction of D403 state road, the construction of a new hospital and the Rijeka Civic Library, and also on future plans such as a new marina that will contribute to the development of nautical tourism in Rijeka.

Filipović also reminded of the fact that Rijeka and Istanbul had been the cities holding the title of European Capital of Culture and pointed out good cooperation with the Croatian-Turkish Society, which had been operating in Rijeka since 1995.

“The Croatian-Turkish Society has been an important link in the development, promotion and improvement of cultural, artistic and economic forms of social activity of Croatian and Turkish people for 26 years, with mutual interest and strong economic and political ties between our two countries,” said Filipović, mentioning the Turkish house as a proof of the historical connection between Rijeka and Turkey.

During the reception, the possibilities of realising connections between Rijeka and a Turkish city pursuant to the sister city concept were discussed.

FURTHER COOPERATION BETWEEN RIJEKA AND TURKEY WAS DISCUSSED DURING THE RECEPTION

“If there is interest on the part of a Turkish coastal city, which could lead to economic cooperation and cooperation of port authorities, I am ready to join these talks. Also, if a Turkish city re-applies for the title of European Capital of Culture in the future, I am sure that Rijeka could contribute with its advice and experience, “said the Ambassador of Turkey, emphasising the importance of encouraging possible cooperation in the future.

During the conversation, H.E. Babür Hızlan also said that he frequently visited Kvarner, especially in the summer months, and he had had an opportunity to visit Rijeka during the International Carnival Parade.

After the reception, organised by the Croatian-Turkish Society, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Croatia in the City Hall of the City of Rijeka lectures were given by the Ambassador Mustafa Babür Hızlan and political scientist Vedran Obućin.

At the beginning of the lecture, the president of the Rijeka City Council Ana Trošelj, welcomed the attendees, emphasising that the heritage of Rijeka was the heritage of all those who had built and developed the city and that the Turkish community and culture had contributed to the richness of diversity. “Great credit for this goes to the Croatian-Turkish Society, which over the years has organised a number of events, mostly cultural, and which through its diligent work has built a bridge between our two cultures and I believe will continue in this direction,” concluded Troselj.