The message reads, in part:
“Partner and twin-city ties between our cities and regions are a vital part of Russian-German cooperation. This has been fully proved by the outcomes of the cross-year of regional and municipal partnerships that has just concluded.
Acting within the framework of this major joint initiative, we have signed a number of mutually beneficial agreements as well as prepared and implemented promising bilateral projects in the social, infrastructure, humanitarian and other spheres.
The format of twin-city relations is exactly what we need now at this complicated stage in interstate relations. This format offers many opportunities for citizen diplomacy and for building direct ties between Russian and German citizens. It is notable that young people in both countries are more actively joining multifaceted cooperation between our cities and regions.
I am confident that you will exchange valuable practical experience, hold serious and constructive discussions, map out new forms of partnership and make a considerable contribution to stronger mutual understanding and trust between the people of Russia and Germany.”