Berlin's Leader Delays Istanbul Journey
Berlin's ruling mayor, Kai Wegner, has decided to postpone his scheduled trip to Istanbul, initially set for early December. The reason behind this delay, as announced by the Senate Chancellery on Thursday, is the volatile political climate in the Middle East and the emotionally charged nature of the situation. Wegner emphasized, "The dialogue and engagement with our twin city, Istanbul, are vital to me; however, I've chosen to postpone my visit to the Turkish metropolis."
The initial plan included Wegner's journey accompanied by a business delegation between December 6 and 9. On another note, the mayor had also publicized his intention to journey to Tel Aviv in February earlier this year. Berlin is currently in discussions for a strategic partnership with the major Israeli city on the Mediterranean coast. As of now, the Tel Aviv trip remains on the schedule for Spring 2024, taking into account any potential changes in the Middle East politics.
Coordination between the Senate Chancellery and Istanbul authorities will be required to reschedule Wegner's trip to Istanbul, considering the postponement due to Middle East's unstable political situation. Regarding the Tel Aviv trip scheduled for February, it is part of the Berlin-Tel Aviv collaboration, and remains on the itinerary for Spring 2024, subject to further developments in the Middle East.
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Interestingly, international events and political tensions may have inspired Wegner to exercise caution before visiting Istanbul. For instance, the Berlin International Film Festival is currently addressing global conflicts and crises, like the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.
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