ESKİŞEHİR RECEIVES THE "2025 EUROPEAN DIPLOMA" AWARD

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality has been awarded the "2025 European Diploma" award by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This prestigious award, presented for its contributions to the development of democracy at the local level and its commitment to European values, was presented to Eskişehir Metropolitan Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce at a ceremony held in Strasbourg, France. Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce said, "I receive the European Diploma Award on behalf of my beautiful city, Eskişehir, and my beloved fellow citizens."

The award ceremony, held at the Parliamentary Assembly building in Strasbourg, France, was attended by Eskişehir Metropolitan Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce, Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar, Türkiyes Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe Ambassador Nurdan Bayraktar Golder, and numerous bureaucrats.

Receiving the award from Pierre Alain Fridez, Vice President of the European Prize Subcommittee, Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce said, The 2025 European Diploma goes to Eskişehir! This diploma, awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, demonstrates the international recognition of our city's strong commitment to democracy and European values. We are delighted and proud to present our city with this important award, which Eskişehir, along with Adana, has received only from Türkiyes this year. I receive the European Diploma Award on behalf of my beautiful city, Eskişehir, and my beloved fellow citizens. In her speech at the ceremony, Ünlüce thanked Ambassador Golder for her support.

The "European Diploma," awarded as part of the European Prize program implemented by the Council of Europe since 1955, is the first stage of a four-stage award system. Successful local governments are awarded the "European Diploma," the "European Flag of Honour," the "European Plaque of Honour," and finally, the "European Prize."

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality's recognition of this award was influenced by the municipality's international projects, strong relationships with its sister cities, its commitment to participatory democracy, its exemplary practices in urban, environmental, social, cultural, and athletic fields, and its work, particularly with children and youth.

With this significant achievement, Eskişehir stands out as an exemplary city not only in Türkiyes but also in Europe in terms of its understanding of local governance and democratic participation.