«This is the time of the restart. We are laying the foundations for the future of the EU which must be stronger and more cohesive ». This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, speaking in Berlin in the premises of the Italian embassy in Germany, where he participated – with the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier – in the ceremony for the awarding of the Presidents’ Award for Municipal Cooperation between Italy and Germany.
The restart
According to Mattarella, the post-pandemic restart depends on a concrete and total commitment and on the profusion of all the energies available. “Today’s ceremony – the words of the President of the Republic – 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 crucial economic and social recovery. This is precisely the time of the restart ».
“During the pandemic – continued the Head of State – we were able to touch firsthand the importance of solidarity between peoples, and the link between Italy and Germany is consolidated in this sense”.
The German president Steinmeier is also on the same line, underlining how Covid has revealed even more the need for unity between the countries of the Old Continent. “The pandemic – he commented – has clearly shown that Europe can leave the crisis behind only together”.
Recognition for twinned municipalities
The prize was reserved for twinning and projects between Italian and German municipalities of a particularly innovative type. “The collaboration between municipalities – added Mattarella – has distant origins, thanks to the fruitful exchange between universities and academies and associations, and is a basis for facing together the challenges for today and those of the future”.
More than 140 pairs of municipalities competed. As for the large centers, the Ludwigsburg – Bergamo couple won the first prize for a project that enhances the proposals of young people for the post Covid phase.
For the small towns the first classified were San Michele di Ganzari and Giengen an der Brenz, while in second place came Bastia Umbra and Höchberg.
In the morning, the President of the Republic also went to the Federal Chancellery, where he had the opportunity to meet Angela Merkel.