Comprehensive cleanup in Ankara ahead of NATO summit

Ankara is continuing its final preparations for the NATO Summit it will host on July 7-8. The main road between Esenboğa Airport, one of the city's most important points, and the city center has been the scene of intensive maintenance and cleaning work as it serves as the transit route for foreign delegations. In this context, the facades of buildings along the route were renovated free of charge by municipal teams, and areas that presented an unsightly appearance were covered with paint.

While citizens usually face high costs for building maintenance and landscaping, these operations were carried out on selected buildings without any fee being charged due to the summit. City officials stated that the renovation works aim to ensure that Ankara leaves a better impression during the international event.

LARGE-SCALE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE CAPITAL

The preparations before the summit were not limited to physical arrangements. In a letter sent to district municipalities by the Ankara Police Department, it was requested that stray dogs located along the Esenboğa route be collected. Thus, it was aimed to minimize potential problems that foreign guests might encounter in the city.

The Ankara Governor's Office also decided on comprehensive administrative leave during the summit week (July 6-12). Personnel working in public institutions in the Altındağ, Çankaya, Etimesgut, Gölbaşı, Keçiören, Mamak, Pursaklar, Sincan, and Yenimahalle districts will be on administrative leave. However, security, health, and emergency personnel will not be included in this scope due to the nature of their duties.

Furthermore, a ban on many events, from exams to concerts and from celebrations to symposiums, will be implemented across Ankara between the specified dates. Graduation ceremonies, festivals, panels, and entertainment events were also included among the banned activities. Weddings can be held in areas not defined as sensitive zones by security forces.

In the statement made by the Governor's Office, it was reported that all these measures taken will come into effect at 06:00 on Monday morning, July 6, and will continue until midnight on Sunday, July 12.

News Source: 12punto