Cologne and Tunis celebrate 60 years of friendship and cooperation

Cologne, Germany, recently hosted a grand celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the Städtepartnerschaftsverein Köln–Tunis, the twinning association between the German city and Tunis, Tunisia. The association was established on June 12, 1966, two years after the official twinning agreement between the two cities was signed on June 12, 1964.

Since its inception, the association has played a vital role in fostering Tunisian-German ties by organizing cultural events and facilitating exchanges. The anniversary ceremony, held at the "Maison Belge de Köln," was attended by prominent figures including the Tunisian Ambassador to Berlin, Wacef Chiha, the Consul General of Tunisia in Düsseldorf, Mustapha Ziri, and the Mayor of Cologne, Torsten Burmester. Raouf Khammassi, president of the Cologne-Tunis association, also graced the event, alongside other distinguished German and Tunisian personalities and long-standing members of the exchange network.

The celebration provided a valuable platform for participants to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation between Cologne and Tunis. Prospects appear particularly promising, building on a long-standing tradition of friendship and exchange. The cities are poised to deepen their partnership in key strategic sectors such as ecological transition, public service digitalization, urban innovation, sustainable resource management, and academic, cultural, and associative exchanges.

Youth engagement is also a central focus for future collaboration. Developing student and university exchange programs, promoting language learning, and encouraging joint projects among young entrepreneurs are seen as crucial steps to further connect citizens and build lasting bridges between generations. The anniversary event served as a concrete example of effective grassroots diplomacy, strengthening relations between Tunisia and Germany and opening new avenues for development, intercultural dialogue, and shared prosperity.