Opinions & Interviews
German Embassy: Idea of sister cities takes on a special meaning in challenging times
An archive photo
MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) - In challenging times, the idea of sister cities takes on a special meaning, Anna Gralak, a representative of the German Embassy in Belarus, said at the 12th meeting of the sister cities of Belarus and Germany in the House of Friendship, BelTA has learned.
"I am glad to be with you, with those who are actively working for the partnership of the cities of Germany and Belarus," Anna Gralak said. "It is difficult to name initiatives that are as clear and expressive a symbol of reconciliation, international cooperation and mutual understanding of different countries as sister cities."
"This is really the largest movement for peace," the diplomat added. “In Germany alone, 6,000 cities maintain ties with their sister cities in other countries. Thus, 12,000 cities are connected by various projects, these are hundreds of thousands of people who communicate in such areas as art, culture, religion, sports, economy, cooperate and create new projects together, communicate and get to know each other."
Anna Gralak pointed out that the partnership between the sister cities of Germany and Belarus had existed for many years. The countries created many interesting projects. "Unfortunately, the current relations between Germany and Belarus are very far from the level at which they could be," she stated. "Nevertheless, it is even more important to preserve the partnership between sister cities as an opportunity for people-to-people exchanges in our countries amid this difficult political situation."
"It is precisely in difficult times that the idea of twin cities takes on a special meaning. It includes building ties between people, breaking stereotypes about each other, developing a better understanding of other cultures," she concluded.
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