The first meeting of the New Alanyans Council, which will be restructured under the roof of the Alanya Municipality Culture and Tourism Commission, was held. In the meeting, which attracted great interest from foreign residents residing in Alanya, the New Alanya residents stated that they would be happy to take part in the commissions to be established.

The first meeting of the New Alanyans Council to be established within the Alanya Municipality was held in the City Council Hall. Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, Deputy Mayor Murat Levent Koçak, Mayoral Advisor and New Alanyans Council Coordinator Abdurrahman Açıkalın, Swedish Honorary Consul Hilmi Tokuş, Latvian Honorary Consul Nurkan Şaşmaz, Sri Lankan Honorary Consul Ali Kamburoğlu, Moldovan Honorary Consul Halil Okur and many New Alanya residents attended the meeting.

Mayor Özçelik: "You are Adding Value to Our City"
Mayor Özçelik, who made the opening speech of the meeting, said, “I am very honored to welcome you to Alanya, this beautiful city that we all proudly call home. Over the years, Alanya has become a global symbol of peace, harmony and cultural coexistence, a city that hosts people from over 130 nations. We are gathered here today to celebrate this unity and diversity that defines us. As your Mayor, I would like to emphasize that Alanya Municipality is fully aware of the opportunities and challenges that come with being part of such a rich and diverse community. Each of you brings invaluable value to our city with the unique backgrounds and cultures you represent. Together, we have the power to showcase Alanya as a global model of harmony and solidarity. I would like to make it clear that we do not see you as foreigners. Instead, we embrace you as New Alanyans.”

Stating that sub-committees will be established under the roof of the New Alanyans Council, President Özçelik said, “We also plan to establish sub-committees in order to better meet the needs of our international residents and strengthen cooperation. These sub-committees will play a facilitating role in order to ensure effective communication between public institutions and to provide rapid solutions to problems. In addition, considering the importance of passing our unity on to future generations, I am very happy to announce that we will establish a new structure called the Youth Committee. This platform will bring together young members from the local and international communities, strengthening the spirit of unity and mutual respect in our community. I invite associations, civil society organizations and individuals to join this cooperation. Together, we can make Alanya, which we love and have chosen as our home, a stronger, more inclusive city. Application forms will be distributed and quickly evaluated by our committee, and a truly representative council will be established.” Mayor Özçelik concluded his remarks by saying, “Let us continue to build hand in hand on Alanya’s legacy of peace, unity and shared prosperity. Together, for Alanya, for our community and for our future.”
 

Stating that the idea of ​​a Foreigners Council has been implemented for the last 20 years, President Özçelik said, “However, we are proud to announce that this initiative will now turn into a structure supported by official regulations in the upcoming period. This council, which will be restructured under the roof of the Alanya Municipality's Culture and Tourism Commission, will operate in a more inclusive, transparent and effective manner to represent the voices of our international residents. After the local elections on March 31, a new management approach came to Alanya with my friends and I. You are not foreigners to us, you are New Alanyans. We expect your support for us and the administrations that will come after us. We invited you here today to inform you about this new formation. After this, we will officially complete the establishment with the decision of the commission and the council. Rules and guidelines will be established. I invite all associations, social organizations and individuals to support this formation. Let's all together make Alanya, which we all love, a place of love, peace and tranquility.”

Youth Committee will be Established
Following Mayor Özçelik, the honorary consuls who took the floor announced that they support this newly established organization by Alanya Municipality. In addition, all resident foreigners who attended the meeting signed a petition for the establishment of such an institution under the roof of Alanya Municipality. Presidential Advisor Abdurrahman Açıkalın, who stated that the New Alanyans Council will have an official procedure and that they will establish committees affiliated with the council, said, “We have rolled up our sleeves to create this structure on a legal platform. The petitions you have just signed indicate that you support this structure. You and we will establish this council together. In addition, a Culture and Change Committee, Education and Sustainability Committee, Social Integration Committee, Tourism and Economic Development Committee and Street Animals Communication Group will be established affiliated with our council. We will also establish our Youth Committee, which excites me very much.” Resident foreigners will apply with petitions and the members of the New Alanyans Council will be determined in the coming days.