As Mayor of Istanbul and as President of UCLG, I am writing to you in view of the tragic spiral of violence that continues in Syria.
I would like to express the solidarity of the local authorities around the world with the local authorities in Syria. Our thoughts are in particular with the citizens of Damascus and Aleppo, longstanding member of our Organization. We would like to call for a halt of violence and protection of civilian lives as we are convinced more bloodshed is not the answer.
We encourage the international community to provide humanitarian aid and to deploy all necessary diplomatic means to lead to a solution. We also call local authorities around the world to collaborate within their own possibilities.
We all look forward for peace and dialogue to be restored soon in Syria and to working hand in hand towards a peaceful society meeting the aspirations of its people.
Kadir Topbaş
President of United Cities and Local Governments