"Our Hearts Beating with Middle East"

The Union of Municipalities of Marmara and the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for close cooperation, at the occasion of the UMM's General Assembly meeting held in Bursa on 29 October 2009. Recep Altepe, President of UMM and Mayor of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, said; "Our hearts beat with the Middle East. We stand by side of our counterparts in the region".

The protocol, signed by Recep Altepe and Hasan Saleh Hussein, Vice-President of APLA and Mayor of Jericho, aims to develop the cooperation and exchange of best practices between Turkish and Palestinian cities. President Altepe also stated that Turkish Prime Minister's commitment for the peace in the Middle East was an incentive and inspiration for Turkish municipalities to practice city diplomacy.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hasan Saleh Hussein, Mayor of Jericho, expressed his feelings with these words:" We are happy with the commitment and approach of Turkey. Turkey is a unique country with its history, culture, folk and local authorities for us. The aggressive attitude of Israel towards the people of Palestine is damaging the peace process. This is my call to all independent nations around the world; please extend us your support. We would like to live in peace. We were here before the history and will remain in our land in the future."

Source: http://www.marmara.gov.tr/NewsDetail.aspx?newsId=615