Damascus visit denied to İmamoğlu granted to AKP's Alemdar

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu had announced that his appointment for a visit to Damascus was canceled after he applied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, AKP Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yusuf Alemdar traveled to Damascus and met with the Governor of Damascus, Mahir Marwan, and the Governor of Rif Dimashq, Amer Al-Shaikh. 

İMAMOĞLU'S APPOINTMENT HAD BEEN CANCELED

Union of Municipalities of Türkiye President and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu had announced that the appointment for his visit to Damascus, scheduled for January 10, had been canceled.

During a meeting with graduates held at the Game Development Center in Şişli, journalists had asked when the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) delegations would go to Syria and whether he would be part of the delegation.

"We expressed our intention to visit many cities in Syria, primarily Damascus, in the coming period by contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submitting our relevant letters," said İmamoğlu, adding, "As a result of these contacts, the information conveyed via message to our relevant managers following this matter became clear as of 10:00 AM on the morning of January 9, that is, yesterday. An appointment was given by the Governor of Damascus for Sunday at 14:00 in Damascus, and preparations began accordingly, but unfortunately, an interesting development occurred just 6 hours after the confirmation of this trip's appointment. Whatever happened in those 6 hours, the Damascus Governorate canceled the appointment in writing, stating, 'The meeting with the TBB delegation has been postponed until after Mr. Erdoğan's visit'."

AKP MAYOR'S DAMASCUS VISIT

The permission for a Damascus visit that was not granted to İmamoğlu was granted to AKP Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yusuf Alemdar.

AKP's Alemdar, who went to the Syrian capital Damascus, met with Damascus Governor Mahir Marwan and Rif Dimashq Governor Amer Al-Shaikh.

Alemdar said, "We held a comprehensive discussion regarding the general situation in Syria and Damascus. We delivered our letters of good intent between local governments. We believe in the importance of a free, independent, and strong Syria. Hopefully, our brothers will get back on their feet as a country very quickly in the shortest possible time. Just as we have stood by our Syrian brothers in their rightful struggle in the past, we will continue to be their greatest friend and supporter as Türkiye from now on."

News Source: 12punto