Mattarella: "This is a time to restart, the EU is strong and cohesive"

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12 October 2021 "We are laying together the foundations of Europe that we will leave to the next generations. The European Union of the coming years and decades, rooted in the daily life of each of our fellow citizens, must be stronger and more cohesive than the one we ourselves have received as an inheritance from its founders ". This was reiterated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, speaking in Berlin on the occasion of the awarding of the winning municipalities of the "Prize of the Presidents for municipal cooperation between Germany and Italy", together with the German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

"The twinning between Italian and German municipalities represent an essential tool to consolidate the friendship between Germany and Italy, to deepen mutual knowledge and face together the challenges of today and future ones. The prizes awarded to the municipalities are a recognition of the commitment to face these challenges with great creativity. This ceremony celebrates the very strong understanding between our countries and the firm determination to continue it while the dynamic energies of Germany and Italy - at all levels, central and local authorities - are aimed at the crucial economic recovery and to the social one: this is the time - in fact - of the restart ". This was stated by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella delivering, with the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier,the Presidents' Awards for municipal cooperation between Italy and Germany. 

There were more than 70 twinning projects and, therefore, more than 140 municipalities. For small municipalities: first place San Michele di Ganzari-Giengen an der Brenz; second place Bastia Umbra- Höchberg; third place Fivizzano - Steinhagen. For the large municipalities first classified Hamm - Bari, second classified Ludwigsburg - Bergamo.

During the emergency linked to Covid "we experienced the concrete solidarity between our two peoples, at every level. 2020. What then appeared as a possibility today is a reality ", said Mattarella speaking in Berlin on the occasion of the awarding of the winning Municipalities of the" Prize of the Presidents for the municipal cooperation between Germany and Italy ", together with the German counterpart Frank- Walter Steinmeier. A recognition, recalled the Italian Head of State, conceived and instituted "at a very special moment, when the path that would lead us out of the pandemic emergency still seemed long and uncertain".     

We must "strengthen this Europe together". This was stated by German President Frank-Walter Seteinmeier speaking in Berlin, with President Sergio Mattarella, on the occasion of a ceremony at the Italian embassy in Berlin. Thanking the mayors who participated in the competition for a twinning of municipalities of the two countries, Steinmeier said he greatly appreciated all the energy spent "on the European integration project".

Before the award of the Presidents Award for Municipal Cooperation between Italy and Germany, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, on an official visit to Berlin, had an interview with the outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel, at the Chancellery.