Aziz Kocaoğlu

I know lots of people who plan on moving from Istanbul to İzmir.

Istanbul's traffic, the high cost of living and the "urban transformation" that turns into a greater nightmare each day plays an important role in this decision.

On the other hand, the fact that İzmir is the "rising star" of Turkey is another important factor.

It is difficult to carry a rather unknown name when you are a child. I started getting used to my rather uncommon name as I got older. Both my name and surname are rare in Turkey, and I occasionally come across people who ask if I'm a foreigner.

The western Turkish province of İzmir is not only about sea, sun and sand, it also offers a diverse range of options from health centers to food festivals, İzmir Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu has told the Hürriyet Daily News in an interview. 

İzmir is Turkey's third largest city. It is Turkey's biggest and most important Western port and that is not valid only for trade.

It is the symbol of both modern lifestyle in Turkey, especially in gender equality, and is also staunchly loyal to the secular, democratic basics of the Turkish Republic.

Some 129 suspects, including the mayor of the Aegean province of İzmir Aziz Kocaoğlu, were acquitted of corruption charges on Feb. 27, Doğan News Agency has reported.

The suspects, who were being tried without arrest, were charged in relation to "corruption in tenders" and "establishing a criminal organization," but were acquitted in the case's 30th hearing. 

İzmir's public transport authority, ESHOT, has canceled a number of transport cards after a male student was spotted using retired footballer David Beckham's picture on his bus card, the authority has said, noting that 40 cards have been canceled on similar grounds.

A man who attempted to attack world-renowned pianist Fazıl Say's concert with a cleaver was released after being detained in the western province of İzmir on Dec. 14, Doğan News Agency has reported.

İzmir Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu describes his Aegean city as "Turkey's window to the West." One would like to think that in these days, when the European Parliament has recommended freezing accession talks with Turkey, there is still a window opening to the West on this land.