Secretary General of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) Isam Akel visited Union of Municipalities of Marmara (UMM) with objective to strengthen relations and cooperation between two organisations.

In the UMM's head office in Istanbul Mr Akel met with Mr Recep Bozlağan, Secretary General of UMM, and Mr Murat Daoudov, Director of EU & International Relations Centre. Isam Akel expressed the will of the APLA to develop further partnership relations and build cooperation between the two institutions. Two secretaries general agreed to initiate the signing by associations' presidents of a Memorandum of Understanding.

During the meeting, Mr Akel expressed their appreciation to the efforts of UMM at the international level, especially its active involvement in the Middle East and Mediterranean region. Municipalities from both sides should increase their cooperation and interaction, according to him. After the war in Gaza such cooperation became even more necessary for Palestinian municipalities. Isam Akel said "besides the French, Italian and Spanish municipalities which are active in Gaza, we would like to see more Turkish cities starting cooperation. Administration of APLA is willing to design projects in cooperation with the Turkish municipalities and establish sister city relationships. We would like to be more active in training projects and cooperate with UMM, which is a leader institution in this domain." Akel said that they were willing to hold a conference in Istanbul with a title of "Being Mayor in Palestine".

Isam Akel also said that Dr. Maged Awni Abu Ramadan, President of APLA and Mayor of Gaza City, will pay visit in near future to the Union to meet Mr Recep Altepe, President of UMM and Mayor of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality.

Source: http://www.marmara.gov.tr/newsdetail.aspx?newsId=356