İznik Mayor Kağan Mehmet Usta pays official visit to Western Thrace

During the visit, Usta held a series of meetings with diplomatic representatives, religious authorities, local government officials, and civil society organizations across Gümülcine and İskeçe.

Gümülcine: Diplomatic and Community Engagements

The delegation’s first stop was Gümülcine, where Usta met with Türkiye’s Consul General in Gümülcine, Aykut Ünal.

He subsequently paid courtesy visits to:

İbrahim Şerif, Mufti of Gümülcine

Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union, where he met with President Sedat Hasan

The discussions reportedly focused on community affairs and regional developments concerning the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.

İskeçe: Minority Institutions and Local Authorities

The delegation then traveled to İskeçe. There, Usta met with Mustafa Trampa, who also serves as President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board.

Meetings included exchanges on current issues affecting the minority community and broader regional matters.

Usta also visited the Municipality of Mustafçova, where he held talks with Mayor Ahmet Kurt.

Continuing his engagements in İskeçe, Usta met with Kerem Abrurahimoğlu, President of the İskeçe Turkish Union.

Trade and Economic Cooperation Talks

The visit concluded with a meeting at the İskeçe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where Usta met with President Marianthi Maliarudaki.

The parties discussed potential cooperation between İznik and İskeçe in key sectors, including:

• Tourism
• Agriculture
• Tile-making and traditional ceramics
• Handicrafts

Joint European Union-funded projects

The visit underscored efforts to strengthen cross-border dialogue, cultural ties, and economic collaboration between local authorities in Türkiye and Western Thrace.