Antalya Muratpaşa Mayor Ümit Uysal said at the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns held in Denmark, "The place of the Republic founded by Atatürk should be within the European Union (EU)."

Mayor Uysal attended the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns in Aalborg, Denmark, which aims to enable local governments and cities to share their experiences in the field of sustainability, develop solutions to common problems, and establish stronger collaborations in the fight against climate change.

In his speech at the conference, Uysal stated that the Republic of Turkey has always turned its face to the West in line with the goal of Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. Underlining that despite this long process, Türkiye has not yet become a full member of the EU, Mayor Uysal said, "Türkiye's full membership in the EU is very important for both Türkiye and Europe in terms of strengthening democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law. The place of the Republic founded by Atatürk should be within the European Union."

Stating that an expansion process for the EU is unthinkable without Türkiye, Mayor Uysal said:

"As cities in Türkiye, we are always ready to contribute to this process and cooperate for a sustainable future. Together, we can work for a more sustainable and livable future not only in our region but also on a global scale. Establishing a balance between climate neutrality and economic development is of vital importance for the future of our cities. The joint action of city administrations, industry representatives and private investors will accelerate the implementation of climate policies. Collaborations to be established, especially in the areas of energy efficiency of buildings and sustainable transportation, will support both our environmental goals and economic growth."

Emphasizing the need for strong cooperation and effective and inclusive planning between cities and the business world during this transition process, Uysal stated that investment incentives, joint financing models and long-term sustainability strategies should be created. Stating that the participation of local governments in decision-making processes together with industry representatives will not only ensure the achievement of climate targets but also the creation of economic opportunities, Mayor Uysal said, "As Muratpaşa Municipality, we are happy to be a part of this process and are ready to cooperate with all stakeholders for a more sustainable future."