İstanbul Municipality, UNHCR sign agreement on refugees

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The İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative for Turkey have signed an agreement for the integration of refugees.

The letter of understanding aims to reinforce the existing joint efforts and make refugees and locals live in peace, Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu said at a joint press conference with UNHCR Turkey Representative Philippe Leclerc yesterday (July 27).

İstanbul, a city of 16 million people, has the highest refugee population in the world with 1.6 million, İmamoğlu noted, adding that the capacity of municipalities is strained in various fields.

"The local governments that work for living together in cities without a share from the central budget and a duty or authority should be strengthened with legal and financial regulations," said the mayor.

Leclerc thanked the mayor and said they were excited for supporting the municipality's "great efforts" for refugees.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and UNHCR Turkey Representative Phillipe Leclerc had a meeting. Mr. Imamoğlu and Mr. Leclerc signed a letter of understanding to mark the strong cooperation between UNHCR and @istanbulbld pic.twitter.com/SmVQU5fEJN

— UNHCR Turkey (@UNHCRTurkey) July 28, 2021

Discriminatory pricing

Later in the day, İmamoğlu said he didn't approve of Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan's plan to increase water prices and waste taxes for refugees to make them leave the city.

"I, of course, don't accept such statements," İmamoğlu told DW Turkish.

Both mayors are members of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). While Özkan said he stands by his words despite heavy criticism, the CHP did not endorse his statement, saying that it was his personal opinion. (KÖ/VK)