Assassinated ambassador’s wish realized after Turkish, Russian cities become sisters

ANTALYA

The wish of the late Russian ambassador Andrey Karlov, assassinated in Ankara in December 2016, has been realized with the twinning of a Turkish and Russian city on Nov. 29.

Marina Karlov, the widow of Karlov, who was shot dead by Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş on Dec. 19, 2016, said her late husband wanted a Turkish city to be a sister city with his hometown Klintsy in Bryansk Oblast, prompting officials in the Demre district of the southern province of Antalya to take action on the issue.

After Karlov’s statements, Demre Mayor Süleyman Topçu from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) presented a motion to the municipal council to make Demre and Klintsy sister cities.

The council unanimously approved the motion, which was followed by approval from the Interior Ministry.

The Klintsy authorities, who visited Turkey after the decision, and the Demre Municipality signed the sister city protocol with a ceremony on Nov. 29.

Russian Consul General to Antalya Oleg Vasilyeviç Rogoza, Russian Consul to Antalya Ivan Stepanov, Demre District Governor Murat Uz, Demre Mayor Topçu, Klintsy City Management Head Oleg Pavlovich and Bryansk Oblast lawmaker Vladimir Ivanovich Vasilenko were present at the ceremony in Demre.

Before the signing ceremony, the life of Karlov was presented to the attendants with a slide show, which was followed by an introductory movie on both Demre and Klintsy.

Topçu and Pavlovich signed the protocol after folk dance shows and music recitals.

“We are here today to fulfil the wish of … Karlov, who was a friend of Turks and Turkey and who was killed in an unfortunate incident in Ankara,” Topçu said at the ceremony.

“Karlov will continue to live in Demre,” he added.

“I believe this relationship will make a significant contribution to the friendship between Turkey and Russia, as well as world peace,” Topçu also said.

Pavlovich, meanwhile, said the protocol will bring the two countries closer together.

“This will make the friendship between two nations permanent. It will also contribute to Turkey-Russia relations economically and culturally. Andrey Karlov will live here,” Pavlovich said.