Within the scope of the TWIN Project, a study visit to Croatia was organized between February 3-7, 2020 to exchange views with institutions actively engaged in town twinning as well as municipalities, unions of municipalities and local authorities networks that carry out works aligned with good practices. The participants of TWIN's 3rd study visit were a delegation comprised of: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs, Union of Municipalities of Turkey, Union of Provinces, Ministry of Environment and Urbanization Directorate-General of Local Authorities and local administration representatives from various cities of Turkey, who attended capacity building trainings as part of the project.
Turkish Embassy in Zagreb
The program began with a visit to the Turkish Embassy in Zagreb. During the visit Ambassador Mustafa Babür Hızlan briefed the delegation about cultural and commercial relations between Turkey and Croatia.
Croatia - Turkey Friendship Association
After the visit to the Turkish Embassy in Zagreb a meeting was held with Croatia-Turkey Friendship Association. In the meeting President of the Union Mr. Goran Beus Richenberg informed the delegation about existing and improved relations between the two countries in the fields of tourism, energy, infrastructure and environmental protection.
Zagreb Municipality
The second day of the study visit started with a visit to the Zagreb Municipality at ZICER (Innovation Center). The Head of EU Projects Department Municipality of Zagreb Ms. Mirjana Zubak shared her experiences with the delegation regarding EU regional policies, regional development, structural changes and funds. Moreover Ms. Zubak emphasized that structural studies were nonexistent before joining the EU and that these studies started after they become a member state. Later, the delegation visited the Municipality of Zagreb Innovation Center guided by municipal authorities.
Zaprešić Municipality
The second visit of the day was to the Zaprešić Municipality 18 km from Zagreb. During the visit Mayor Mr. Zeljko Turk informed the delegation about the education and structural projects conducted by the municipality.
Samobor Municipality
Samobor Municipality, 20 km from Zagreb, was the last institution of the second day of the Study Visit Program. During the visit of Municipality of Samobor the delegation was welcomed by Head of EU Department Mr. Marinko Džepina. The delegation gathered information about the projects run by the Municipality of Samobor, for which the city of Samobor does not charge any duties on the citizens.
Association of Cities in the Republic of Croatia
On the third day of the Study Visit, the delegation visited the Association of Cities in the Republic of Croatia, which is the counterpart of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey, in Croatia. During this visit, the Secretary General of the Association of Municipalities of the Republic of Croatia and also the Mayor of Rugvica, Mr. Mato Čičak informed the delegation about the union and the municipality as well as providing exchange of views in order to solidify the town twinning activities between the local administrations and institutions of two countries.
Velika Gorica Municipality
The second visit of the day was to Velika Gorica Municipality. Representing the municipality, Head of Entrepreneurship, Investment and EU Funds Department, Mr. Domagoj Ilečić shared his experiences about municipalities' projects in the fields of energy efficiency and environmental protection.
Association of Cities in Croatia
The last visit of the third day of Study Visit Program was to the Association of Cities in Croatia, the equivalent of the Union of Provinces of Turkey, in Croatia. During this visit the President of the Association of Cities in Croatia Ms. Nives Kopajtich Škrlec informed the delegation about the activities of the institution as well as providing an opportunity to exchange views areas of cooperation in order to solidify the Town Twinning activities between two counterpart institutions.
Karlovac Municipality
On the fourth day of the program the delegation visited the Karlovac Municipalit and was informed by the President of Karlovac Development Agency Mr. Vilko Klasan regarding his experiences on EU projects and cooperation opportunities. Delegation's study visit to the Municipality of Karlovac also attracted local media attention. In this context media members interviewed with Mr. A. Hakan ATİK, Head of Department of Project Implementation, Directorate for EU Affairs receiving information regarding the studies conducted in the field of town twinning within the scope of the TWIN Project.
Pelješac Bridge Project
On the last day of the Study Visit the delegation visited the Pelješac Bridge Project. During this visit, the last activity of the program, the representative of the contracting company Ms. Ariana Vela informed the delegation about the Pelješac Bridge Project, Croatia's largest EU-funded infrastructure project.
The five-day TWIN Study Visit to Croatia between February 3-5, 2020 ended as the delegation returned to Turkey.