 On 23 October, Gökçek tweeted his resignation announcement with the farewell ceremony taking place on 28 October.Ankara received certain international prizes during his office during Gökçek's administration.On 10 October 2009 Gökçek received the "Europe Prize", the highest distinction that can be bestowed on a European town for its actions in the European domain by the President of the European Parliament, Luis Marie de Puig, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.