Sunday, October 12, 2008 - (Austin American Statesman articles)

Travel with Purpose

Sister City

Austin Area Officials Visit Antayla, Turkey

By Cheryl Coggins Frink

Special to the Austin American-Statesman
June 24, 2008 - Austin, TX

Texas State Representatives Donna Howard and Valinda Bolton, Travis County Constable Bruce Elfant, and Dr. Yetkin Yildirma, Institute of Interfaith Dialogue met with Mayor Menderes Turel of Antayla, Turkey at the request of Austin mayor Will Wynn, to discuss a proposed Sister City agreement between Antayla and Austin, TX. Austin currently maintains Sister City relationships with ten cities on five continents. Antayla would be Austin’s the first Sister City in the Middle East region and the first predominantly Muslim city.

Antayla, founded in 150 B.C., is located in southern Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea. Austin and Antayla are similar in population and climate. With a natural beauty that attracts more than seven million visitors each year, tourism is Antayla’s main industry. Surrounded by water and mountains one can snow ski in the morning and water ski in the afternoon.

“Mayor Wynn looks forward to building a close and rewarding relationship between Antayla and Austin that promotes a better understanding and respect for our diverse cultures and includes an exchange of civic, educational, and business strategies,” Constable Elfant said.