New sister town agreement turns into the straight-Pendik

Leaders of Kispest and Pendik (district of Istanbul) carried on talks in the city hall on the co-operation project between the two settlements today. The 19th district is expecting further expansion of the student exchange recreation program, joint participation in the European Union projects as well as strengthening of the cultural, educational and economic relations from the connection with the fourth most populated district of the Turkish metropolis. The body of representatives is going to decide on signing the document in May.

Peter Gajda showed Kispest to the Turkish delegation while dr. Salih Kenan Şahin introduced Pendik of 600 thousand inhabitants to the hosts. Besides the mayors, Bahattin Yaman, Ihsan Yazar and Muhammet Gülenç representatives, Cihat Aslanoğlu, Kemal Kaya and Ekrem Okuta mayor advisors on Turkish side, and György Vinczek and Gábor Eördögh deputy mayors, dr. Sándor Istvánfi honorary town notary, Etelka Vadon Social Relations Office Manager, Mrs Vigh Erzsébet Vincze Family Welfare Director and István Szilágyi official in charge of sister town project were present on Hungarian side at the discussion of the sister town agreement draft.

According to draft of the agreement the co-operation between the local governments is based, first of all, on development of the cultural connections, establishment of educational and economic relationship, it also has joint participation in European Union projects in view and aims the youth exchange recreation program, as well. Mayor of Kispest laid special emphasis: he is convinced that they can impart the local experiences in joining the Union to the Turkish partner (Turkey is candidate for membership for the time being), since the 19th district has obtained tender resources of altogether 1.5 thousand million Forint from the Union representing considerable contribution to development of the quarter.
At the end of the meeting mayor of Pendik invited the delegation of Kispest to the cultural festival in June. Peter Gajda told kispest.hu: he is delighted at the prospect of the new sister town co-operation as in this way children of Kispest can travel to another place within the framework of the successful exchange recreation program. It is also important, he added, that economic, cultural and local governmental relations should be formed with the Turkish partner serving for the interest of the district.
Delegation of Pendik visited Kispest a month ago: Cihat Aslanoğlu and Kemal Kaya agreed then to form this connection between the town leaders. The Turkish delegation of seven persons led by dr. Salih Kenan Şahin arrived in Hungary on Sunday noon. Following an excursion to Esztergom and Visegrád the guests travelled to the Lake Balaton on Monday, then they got to know Kispest. Sightseeing in Budapest and Szentendre is planned today. Delegation of Pendik returns to Turkey on Wednesday noon.