Kispest and Pendik are sister towns - May 31, 2010

Dr. Salih Kenan Sahin mayor of Istanbul-Pendik, his advisors and representatives of Pendik arrived at Kispest on 25th April. The content of the agreement was finalized during this visit in Kispest Mayor’s Office on the 27th April, 2010.On the Turkish partner’s request the sister town agreement was signed in Istanbul on the 28th May, 2010.
Co-operation of Kispest and Pendik advances establishment of economic and educational relationship, participation in European Union projects and in youth exchange programs. Joint participation in Union projects is of great importance also for the Turkish party as Turkey is not yet member of the European Union. On the other hand, children of Kispest are surely very happy about taking part in exchange recreation programs, since Pendik lies on the seaside, the mayor is now planning to form sand beach along the rocky coastal sector.
Vivid cultural life is characteristic of both countries, strengthening of connections may also contribute to extend the cultural palette. Pendik is the 4th most densely populated district of 39 in Istanbul, residing 600 thousand people here. One of the airports of the Turkish metropolis is located here, its harbor is busy, road and railway system is satisfactory. Building and service industry of the district is significant and the international fair is also situated in this region. Its economic potential is of great importance in life of Istanbul.
The Hungarian delegation (Peter Gajda mayor, György Vinczek deputy mayor, András Mihály local representative, Peter Nagy human resources director, István Szilágyi official in charge of sister town relationships and Endre Nagy communication director) got acquainted with the operation of the local authority, administrative system, educational institutions. Hosts showed the delegation how social welfare web works in the Turkish district. They also demonstrated method of donation being very important for them for elemental disasters occurring from time to time in the region. Members of the delegation had the opportunity to visit the workshops where applicants can get the mastery of professions, activities of art popular in Turkey. Within the frame of such courses carpet weaving, glass staining, photography, or, loosely translated, “painting in water” can be studied, that means dipping paper into water, patterns are formed by drawing onto the water surface by means of appropriate material. The knowledge of this special activity of art, e.g. takes some two years to acquire.
Management of both districts hopes that preparatory works may begin as soon as possible following signing the agreement and bilateral programs and projects can be realized and accomplished. Sister town relations of the Turkish district with Smolyan, Bulgarian sister town of Kispest, can also be of great assistance in this process.