Thiruvananthapuram MP Dr Shashi Tharoor concluded on Friday an agreement in principle with the Mayor of Barcelona, Sr. Jordi Hereu, to twin the two cities.
The agreement requires appropriate clearance from the concerned authorities in New Delhi and the signature of the Mayor of Tvm. It will feature concrete projects of co-operation in the fields of infrastructure development, cultural and sporting exchange, medical assistance to Tvm´s cancer hospital and waste disposal, as well as related areas.
“We are grateful to Minister Shashi Tharoor for bringing to our attention the great similarities and opportunities for co-operation between Barcelona and Thiruvananthapuram,” Mayor Hereu said. “We look forward to a fruitful relationship.”
A team from Barcelona´s Casa Asia will travel to Tvm in late January and the city´s Director of International Co-operation will follow in the first week of February. The agreement will be formally signed in Thiruvananthapuram as soon as the necessary procedures are completed in India.
“Opening Tvm´s windows to the world was an early campaign promise of mine,” Dr Tharoor said, “and I am delighted to have been able to fulfil it with such a worthwhile partner. There is a great deal that Barcelona can do with Tvm and for Tvm. This is just the beginning. I expect many tangible benefits for the well-being of our people from this special relationship.”
