Students from Balkan countries meet in Edirne in a camp programme

Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer, in his speech at the ceremony held at Trakya University Balkan Congress Centre, said that approximately 400 students from 11 countries participated in the camp.

Stating that they will take firm steps towards the future with young people, Sezer said, ‘We will build bridges of peace and friendship with young people. We are not only bringing you together, but also bringing together the countries where you are located. Together with you, we are also building bridges of heart between countries.’

Stating that there is chaos in many parts of the world, Sezer emphasised that peace will be built through young people.

AK Party Edirne Deputy Fatma Aksal started her speech by celebrating the anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory, which opened the gates of Anatolia and the Balkans to Turks.

Stating that the Balkans are Turkey's heartland, Aksal said: ‘We are hosting our young people with the Balkan Cities Cooperation Edirne Platform and we have hosted them before and these programmes will continue. All the programmes of this platform are very valuable, but this investment in young people is the most valuable.’

‘WE WILL NOT WITHDRAW OUR HAND FROM THE BALKANS’

Abdullah Eren, President of Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), said that this year they have provided approximately 500 students from the Balkans with the opportunity to study in Turkey within the scope of Türkiye Scholarships.

Stating that they have brought nearly 20 thousand scholarship students from the Balkans to Turkey for education since 1992, Eren said, ‘In this context, we carry out all kinds of activities for our youth in the Balkans. We have Balkan Youth School Project, youth camps and travel programmes.’

Eren noted that YTB has implemented 483 projects since 2012.

Stating that they continue to contribute to the Balkan Cities Cooperation Edirne Platform activities, Eren said, ‘We love the Balkans and Rumelia geography very much. As Türkiye, we will never take our hands off the Balkans under any circumstances. Because all kinds of stability of this geography including economic, political and security depends on Türkiye's power here.’

Rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hatipler stated that Balkan Cities Cooperation Edirne Platform made great contributions to the relations with Balkan countries in every sense.

Hatipler stated that all students and teachers participating in the programme are cultural ambassadors.

A student from Greece and Kosovo representing the students participating in the camp also made a speech.

After the speeches, the participants chatted with the students.

During the summer camp, trips to Çanakkale, Keşan Gökçetepe and Edirne will be organised for guest students and teachers.

Within the scope of the camp, which will also include sports activities, concerts and cultural talks, students will have the opportunity to conduct science experiments at Trakya University Faculty of Education.

The summer camp will end on 31 August.