Arapgir hosts its European “fellow citizen”

 

Arapgir, the district of Malatya famous for its purple basil, hosts a “fellow citizen” not from Arapgir: Head of the European Union Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut!

Although Ambassador Meyer-Landrut was not born in Arapgir, Arapgir is also his hometown because when he took office in Türkiye, the first person to invite him to his city was Arapgir Mayor Haluk Cömertoğlu. After Ambassador Meyer-Landrut accepted the invitation, Mayor Cömertoğlu declared the Ambassador and the accompanying delegation honorary fellow citizens based on the decision by Arapgir Municipal Assembly. Visiting the EU Delegation to Türkiye in Ankara in October 2021, Cömertoğlu personally presented honorary fellowship certificates to the Ambassador and the accompanying delegation. And since then, the Ambassador has two hometowns!

Ambassador Meyer-Landrut went to his second hometown, Arapgir, after visiting the factories and fruit gardens in Malatya supported by the IPARD Programme, the rural development component of the European Union Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance-IPA. Mayor Cömertoğlu welcomed his “citizen” with a smile as usual. 

“We were very honoured by the Ambassador’s first visit in 2021. We had the opportunity to introduce Arapgir to him with its culture and natural beauties. On that visit, when the Ambassador said, ‘I felt like I was in my hometown,’ I said, ‘You are already in your hometown.’ Thereupon, we awarded the Ambassador an honorary fellowship. We have the pleasure of hosting the Ambassador again. We talk about the potential of our district. It is difficult for local governments to find resources, so EU support is important to us,” said Mayor Cömertoğlu.

Ambassador Meyer-Landrut said, “I am very pleased to visit Mayor Cömertoğlu and his auld city, which has been home to many civilisations. We’ve talked about the possible projects to improve this beautiful district.” Referring to the honorary fellowship, the Ambassador added, “This is my city, too.”

Arapgir, which stands out with its gastronomy, has been holding the title of “citta slow” since 2021. One of the important historical monuments in the district, where there are many registered works from bridges, inns and mansions to castles, church ruins and mosques, is the Great Mosque, which is thought to date from the 14th century. Eight rock tombs from the Roman period in the village of Onar were declared a first-degree archaeological site. There is also an 800-year-old Büyük Ocak Djemevi in the village of Onar. Kozluk Stream Canyon and Eskişehir Valley are natural protected areas in the district. Also, Arapgir is the place with the best air quality in Türkiye.