Recep Gürkan

‘Edirne rose’ brought from Bulgaria, planted in border city

Officials in the northwestern province of Edirne have planted saplings of "Edirne rose," a local rose species that got lost over time, that they brought from a Bulgarian village in its own habitat, reviving the species once again.

"Edirne rose has reunited with the lands it once was born in," said Recep Gürkan, the mayor of the province, during a ceremony on Nov. 25.

Turkey's gate to Europe seeks share of border trade

Edirne might be home to the world's second busiest border gate, but the northwestern Turkish city feels it does not see a fair share of the benefits of cross-border trade activities, according to the local mayor. 

"As people who are carrying the burden of living on the border, we would like to see more benefits," said Mayor Recep Gürkan. 

Outdoor cooling system chills citizens in Turkey's northwest

Two-hundred water jets spraying drops of cool water on pedestrians as the temperature nears 40 degrees Celsius in mid-August? The lucky residents in Turkey?s northwestern province of Edirne were able heaved a sigh of relief thanks to the project hatched by provincial Governor Recep Gürkan. 

Cities Across Bulgaria-Turkey Border at Odds over Park Name

The Bulgarian city of Haskovo and its Turkish sister city of Edirne are freezing ties over Haskovo's grant the name Armentsi ("Armenians") to a park located on its territory.

The move, triggered by the Turkish side, was announced in official letter by Edirne Mayor Recep Gürkan, quoted by a Haskovo-based local news service Haskovo.net.