With Chinese addition, Mardin now has a dozen sister cities

With its latest protocol signed with Golmud, China, the city of Mardin in Turkey's southeast can now claim 12 sister cities. Mardin officials say many other cities are in touch with them towards becoming sister cities. The protocol with Golmud was signed late last month during a ceremony held at Promotion Foundation of Turkey (TUTAV) headquarters and was overseen by the Turkey-People's Republic of China Friendship Association and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Mardin Mayor Mehmet Besir Ayanoglu signed the protocol on behalf of the city. Speaking at the ceremony, the mayor said 7,000-year-old Mardin, a popular faith tourism destination with its many mosques and churches, is one of the world's most important cities. " Tokyo and New York are next," he added. "I believe we will sign sister city protocols with cities in five or six countries by this June."