Thessaloniki, Greece, Cebu City to sign sister agreement

CEBU, Philippines - To form collaboration on matters involving economy and education, among others, Cebu City government will enter into a twinning agreement with the city of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Mayor Michael Rama will sign the sister city agreement with Thessaloniki after being authorized by the City Council.

Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, chairman of the council’s committee on tourism, local and international relations, arts and culture, drafted the resolution on the agreement.

“The establishment of a sister city relationship with the city government of Thessaloniki, Greece is favorable to the development of the City of Cebu in the launching of programs of cooperation that promotes contact and exchange of experiences, good practice measures and information by both parties,” the resolution read.

Under the draft of the twinning agreement, both cities will offer each other the possibility of participating in any international forums and meetings.

Both parties, the agreement stressed, should be conscious of the need for close cooperation between them.

For the economic cooperation, both cities would exchange information on projects dealing with economic development especially in terms of trade and employment.

Other conditions set were to stimulate cultural exchanges promoted by public or private bodies; collaborate in the tasks of promoting Filipino and Greek culture in Greece and the Philippines, respectively; and strengthen cooperation in the field of education and sports through exchanges, joint programs and activities.

“Both parties will strive to the utmost to develop their mutual potential, with the aim of achieving greater effective, egalitarian, and mutually beneficial cooperation,” the agreement read.

“To this end, they will prepare cooperation programs relating to Public Administration that promote contact and exchange of experiences, good practice measures and information between the parties,” it added.

The City Legal Office said the stipulations in the said agreement are in order and are not contrary to law. — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/NSA (FREEMAN)