Demirtas, Birgül2025-02-202025-02-202024978-100384790-8978-103251978-4https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003404736-18https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12846/1784This chapter analyzes the city diplomacy of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality under the mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as a case study of the external relations of municipalities in de-democratizing states. It asks: What are the main characteristics of this diplomacy under Imamoglu? What does this case tell us about the main dynamics of city diplomacy in de-democratizing states? Further, it argues that the city’s diplomacy consists of several pillars: reconstructing the city’s external relations on the basis of peaceful relations; focusing on universal norms and values; finding funds from international organizations; creating initiatives with cities in Turkey’s neighborhood; and achieving global visibility. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Gülçin Balamir Coskun, Tuba Inal-Çekiç, and Ertug Tombus.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessBook Part10.4324/9781003404736-182302442-s2.0-85190911043