Adnkronos Berlin, November 15 (Adnkronos) – "'All good things come in threes,' or as they say in German: 'All good things come in threes.' Today we have reached the third edition of the Prize for Municipal Cooperation between Italy and Germany. Dear Sergio, we remember very well the award ceremony two years ago in your homeland, Sicily, in Syracuse.
And this time, for this event, we meet again here in Berlin. The German-Italian Prize for Municipal Cooperation is very close to my heart. It represents the friendship between our two countries and, above all, the many people in Italy and Germany who, over the past decades, have supported, nurtured, consolidated, and deepened this friendship with their commitment to twinning between municipalities. This was stated by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at the ceremony in Berlin, together with the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, for the presentation of the "Presidents' Prize for Municipal Cooperation between Italy and Germany."
"Over 400 twinning agreements," the German President recalled, "unite municipalities from the most diverse regions of Germany and Italy. They promote encounters and exchanges between very different people, including the youngest. Next year, we will be able to look back on 75 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. In recent years, we have become increasingly integrated: politically, as democracies in a common Europe. And culturally, with a broad exchange in art and science that harks back to centuries of mutual fascination and inspiration."
"The awarded projects build bridges between our countries and strengthen our united Europe. They bring together young Italians and Germans to care for and safeguard monuments and cultural heritage and thus to discuss our shared history. They promote the exchange of experiences between Italian and German municipalities, for example when it comes to equally respecting the needs of people with and without disabilities. They ensure that citizens of both countries see and perceive the value that the European Union has for themselves and for us all. And they make us understand that we must actively work to protect and defend peace and freedom. The common foundation of all these bridges is friendship. This is true wealth. Because, as they say in Italian: 'Whoever finds a friend, finds a treasure.' It is a great fortune," Steinmeier concluded, "that our two countries can share this treasure, and that this treasure can thus continue to grow!"