BELGIAN AMBASSADOR VELDE PAYS A VISIT TO MAYOR ÜNLÜCE

Belgium's Ambassador to Turkey, Hendrik Van De Velde, met with Eskişehir Metropolitan Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce at her Office upon visiting the city for various engagements.

The Ambassador was accompanied by Secretary-General Hannes Dekeyser, Trade Attaché of the Walloon Region Gerard Segher, Trade Attaché of the Flemish Region Peter Verplancken, Representative of the Belgian Liaison Office Koen Van Poucke, Honorary Consul Emir Turan, as well as Esra Kaya and Seyhan Özbek.

During the visit, Ambassador Hendrik Van De Velde praised Eskişehir, describing the city as 'Turkey's European city.' He noted that they closely follow Mayor Ünlüce's volunteer initiatives, especially those aimed at women, and emphasized that they are open to cooperation with Eskişehir in all areas, with a particular interest in developing joint projects focused on women's initiatives. The Ambassador also thanked Mayor Ünlüce for her contributions in this field.

Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce also expressed her pleasure at the visit, recalling that prior to her tenure as mayor, she had played an active role in the Eskişehir City Council Women's Assembly and the Eskişehir Bar Association Women's Rights Commission, and had spearheaded the establishment of Turkey's first Women's Advisory and Solidarity Center. Highlighting Eskişehir's strengths in areas such as arts, industry, agriculture, and culture, Ünlüce emphasized that they are always ready for cooperation with Belgium.

Pointing out that a large number of Turkish citizens living in Belgium visit Eskişehir during the summer, making a significant contribution to the city's economy, Mayor Ünlüce emphasized that strengthening these ties is valuable for both sides.

The visit ended with an exchange of gifts between the parties.