Kurti Hosts İzmir Mayor: The City Has Been a Refuge for Many Albanians Expelled by Serbian Violence

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti met today with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, who was accompanied by his associates.

Following the meeting, Kurti said that, in addition to its excellent relations with Turkey, Kosovo also shares a special bond with the city of İzmir. According to him, the city became home to many Albanians forcibly expelled by Serbia and Yugoslavia during the last century.

He stressed that Albanian compatriots in İzmir, while steadfastly maintaining ties to their roots, are an important and valued part of the city’s society.

Kurti said he and Mayor Tugay discussed concrete ways to strengthen and expand cooperation between Kosovo and İzmir in the fields of economy, industry, entrepreneurship, education, culture, technology and innovation.

The agenda also included agriculture, the environment and energy. The two officials also explored opportunities for investment and trade, as well as the exchange of experience across several sectors.

Particular attention was paid to cooperation in healthcare, environmental protection and waste management.

Kurti noted that today’s meeting came two years after his previous friendly meeting with the mayor of İzmir in his office.