The Aegean Coast Municipalities Union meeting was held in Marmaris.

The Coastal Aegean Municipalities Union Council Meeting was held with the hosting of Marmaris Mayor Acar Ünlü and the presidency of Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras. The meeting discussed combating wildfires, revenue distribution among municipalities, working plans aimed at the interests of member municipalities, and forest fires.

Prior to the meeting attended by Izmir Narlıdere Mayor Erman Uzun, Dikili Mayor Adil Kırgöz, Karaburun Mayor İlkay Girgin Erdoğan, Ayvalık Mayor Mesut Ergin, and Izmir Tire Mayor Hayati Okuroğlu, Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras answered questions from the press. Mayor Aras emphasized the economic difficulties faced by municipalities and highlighted that income adjustments should be made according to the increase in summer population in tourism areas.

Mayor Ahmet Aras stated that the newly established Maritime Inc. has started its activities with ferry services and that this new structure will come to life with management boards consisting of important tourism centers such as Bodrum, Fethiye, and Marmaris. He expressed that restructuring is expected to pay off accumulated debts along with rising costs, mentioning that some municipalities are at risk of not being able to pay their staff salaries. He noted that municipalities have resorted to selling properties and that the economic difficulties stem from the wrong policies of the country’s administration.

Aras also emphasized the need to find solutions that would provide additional income to municipalities, stating that the legalization of accommodation and city taxes is important. Additionally, he pointed out the necessity of leaving a certain percentage of the motor vehicles tax (MTV) to municipalities and exempting municipalities from VAT in tenders.

‘Rhodes visit is an important step to increase inter-municipal relations’
Mayor Aras also made statements regarding the visit to Rhodes, noting that issues related to the Aegean Islands among general administrations continue, but friendly relations developed at the local level could contribute to regional and national peace. Emphasizing that they are one of the regions most affected by the global climate crisis, Aras said that the visit to Rhodes aims to address issues such as forest fires, sea cleanliness, and tourism development.

‘Odor issues stem from old infrastructures’
Marmaris Mayor Acar Ünlü stated that inspections conducted with the General Manager of MUSKİ have initiated efforts to renew 30-year-old infrastructure lines regarding the odor problem in the region. He mentioned that the odor, particularly at the Turban Junction, stems from the elevation difference in the line and that modern solutions will be produced in this regard. He added that works regarding new wastewater treatment facilities will continue.

‘Water supply works on the Bozburun Peninsula will be completed by August 30’
Mayor Aras announced that the water pipeline installation works in the Bozburun Peninsula will be completed by August 30 and also informed that the construction of a wastewater treatment facility has begun in the Bozburun and Selimiye Peninsulas. Stating that it is not possible to carry out all these works simultaneously, Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras expressed that all projects aimed at solving the problems are ongoing and will start using advanced technology.

During the meeting, the members of the Coastal Aegean Municipalities Union Council focused on the common issues of local administrations and proposed solutions, determining the projects to be collaborated on.