A two-day event to bring closer the peoples of Greece and Türkiye, was held in Mytilini by the North Aegean region two days ago.
The event’s highlight was the honorary recognition presented by North Aegean Region Governor Konstantinos Moutzouris to Turkish businessman Rahmi Koç, for his contribution in strengthening cultural, commercial, and tourism ties between the islands of the North Aegean and Türkiye.
Attending the event were members of the cultural and economic life, Turkish business owners, and a large delegation of local government officials from Türkiye, headed by the mayor of the metropolitan city of Balikesir. The Greek government was represented by Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gikas.
Moutzouris said honoring Koç relates to his contributions in furthering relations between Greeks and Turks, for his conservation of Christian monuments in Asia Minor, and for his positive commercial and social activities on Lesvos island, where he owns a home and an industrial facility in Perama that he has restored.
Koç, who was touched, said he will continue to love Lesvos and visit it, as well as to contribute to the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations.
On Saturday, the Chamber of Lesvos held a meeting organized by the Region of the North Aegean and the Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local government officials, representatives of chambers and business owners on improving business relations in tourism and trade.
As Governor Moutzouris said, the number of Turkish tourists at North Aegean islands is expected to total 500,000 in 2024. The revenues are expected to reach 200 million euros, he said.
During the two-day event, Turkish local government officials had bilateral meetings with the mayors of Mytilini and West Lesvos, during which they agreed to continue and further develop exchanges at cultural, environmentally friend activities, and to have schools on both sides meet each other.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
