Babaeski Delegation visits Orestiada: Message of cross-border friendship and cooperation
A delegation from Türkiye's Babaeski Municipality, led by Mayor Fırat Yayla, paid an official visit to the Greek municipality of Orestiada (Kumçiftlik), signaling a shared commitment to strengthening neighborly ties and fostering cooperation between the two towns.
According to a statement released by the Municipality of Orestiada, the visit aimed to “enhance good neighborly relations, promote cultural exchange, and develop cooperation between municipalities.”
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on local governance, development strategies, and cultural initiatives. Mayor Yayla and Orestiada Mayor Adamandios Papadopoulos emphasized their mutual will to collaborate closely across all sectors.
An agreement was reached to launch joint projects in cultural, social, and economic fields. Both municipalities reaffirmed their determination to build a lasting and productive inter-municipal relationship.
In a statement following the visit, Mayor Yayla said:
“We have taken an important step in strengthening the friendship between two neighboring towns. Our discussions covered not only culture and social issues, but also opportunities in trade and economic cooperation. These talks lay the groundwork for deeper connections between our communities and future joint initiatives.”
Media Backlash from Anti-Turkish Outlet
Despite the constructive tone of the visit, the meeting faced criticism from e-evros.gr, a local news site based in Alexandroupoli known for its anti-Turkish rhetoric. The outlet sought to politicize the visit by referencing historical grievances, particularly the suffering of ethnic Greeks during the Balkan Wars, and framed the meeting within a narrative of historical reckoning.
The report highlighted Babaeski’s Greek name, “Artiskos,” and claimed that its Greek population had been displaced during early 20th-century conflicts. The article also targeted Mayor Yayla personally, noting his affiliation with Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and portraying him as a representative of Turkish government policies toward Greece.
Additionally, e-evros.gr included a photo of Yayla celebrating Türkiye’s Youth and Sports Day on May 19—a date that coincides with Greece’s remembrance of the Pontic Greek Genocide—implying that the mayor’s national celebrations were offensive to Greek sensibilities.
Millet’s Response
In response, Millet criticized such ideological attempts to undermine local diplomacy and goodwill:
“These kinds of approaches harm the sincere efforts being made at the local level and sabotage the potential for people-to-people dialogue. The deep-state structures in Greece, supported by the church and engaged in anti-Turkish propaganda, pose a serious threat not only to bilateral relations but also to regional peace and stability.”
The article called for a more constructive spirit in Turkish-Greek relations, emphasizing the positive example set by the municipalities of Babaeski and Orestiada.
