Sisterhood agreement between Turkey, Davao eyed

The City of Mersin in Turkey has signified its interest in forging a sisterhood agreement between Mersin and Davao City.

“Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Bahnarim Guinomla communicated Mersin City’s intention to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier this year,” councilor Rachel Zozobrado said. Guinomla used to be based in Davao City.

Zozobrado said all heads present during the First Conference of Heads of Philippine Honorary Consular Posts in Turkey agreed to support all the flagship projects of the Philippine Embassy which includes the forging of sisterhood agreements.

“Mersin City is one of the ten largest cities in Turkey in terms of agricultural, industrial and commercial potential. It is considered the site of the largest port on the Turkish Mediterranean and is the center of maritime commerce in Turkey,” Zozobrado said.

The proposed sisterhood with Turkey aims to foster mutual understanding through people to people exchanges, tourism promotion as well as trade and investment activities. Furthermore, she added, a sisterhood agreement between Mersin City and Davao City will strengthen the overall bilateral relations between Turkey and the Philippines.

As recommended by Ambassador Guinomla, Zozobrado said, Davao should initiate the forging of a sisterhood agreement with Mersin City,

Zozobrado said the Committee on International Relations has already met to discuss the proposed sisterhood agreement.

Ivan Cortez of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center said the planned sisterhood agreement is advantageous to both cities. “The agreement should focus on the demands from both cities specifically on employment, tourism and other business opportunities,” Cortez said.

Mersin City has existing sisterhood pacts with Latakia, Syria and Kushimoto, Japan.