Midlothian to pursue more twinning relationships
Midlothian Council today (17 December) recommended that the council actively seeks out more twinning arrangements with cities, towns and villages in other countries.
Friendship
Twinning links are friendship agreements involving co-operation between two communities from different cities, towns or villages in a different country. The twinned communities organise joint projects and activities to bring their communities closer and to learn about each other.
Exisiting links
Midlothian as a county is currently twinned with Heinsberg in Germany and Komárom-Esztergom in Hungary. Midlothian also has four twinning arrangements with French towns:
- Bonnyrigg and Lasswade with Saint-Cyr-l'École
- Dalkeith with Jarnac
- Danderhall with Angres
- Penicuik with L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Representative nominations
Council also agreed today that Cllr Debbi McCall be nominated to represent the council on the Penicuik Twinning Association and Cllr Margot Russell on the Dalkeith Twinning Association. The council currently has no councillor representation on these associations. The twinning associations will now decide if they wish to accept these nominations.
Benefits of twinning to local communities
Midlothian Provost Cllr Debbi McCall said: "The council has long valued the importance of twinning links to boost trade and tourism, to promote peace and cultural exchange, to create long-lasting friendships and for the exchange of information and skills. Therefore, we will be actively investigating ways to progress options for further twinning opportunities with different countries so other Midlothian towns can benefit from these relationships. Given the value of twinning to Midlothian, we are also pleased to be submitting nominations for representatives on the Dalkeith and Penicuik Twinning Associations.”