On September 28, 2021, a flower-laying ceremony at the monument to the Twin Cities of Murmansk was held. This solemn event is timed to the anniversary date – the 105th anniversary of the founding of the polar capital.
– Sister cities are very important. This interaction, which contributes to the development of many areas of activity, as well as a useful exchange of experience and mutual assistance, – said Mikhail Belosheev. – On the eve of the city day, we received many congratulatory letters and video messages from the twin cities of the capital of the Arctic. Such attention from our foreign friends once again underlines the desire to cooperate and work together. Many of our plans have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. But as soon as this ailment passes, we will definitely resume working with them.
– The history of sister city ties in Murmansk lasts more than half a century. Almost 60 years have passed since the first twin city appeared near the capital of the Arctic. It was Finnish Rovaniemi. Friendship of the cities began in 1962, – said Evgeny Nikora. – The practice of friendly relations has always helped and is helping Murmansk to develop. We continue to strengthen them and find new points of contact, despite the difficulties associated with the coronavirus.
– Murmansk is always open for the development of cooperation with any of the cities of the world. Internationalism is peculiar to us from birth, since Murmansk is, first of all, a port city, – said Andrey Sysoev. – These are difficult times when we must act in a secure manner to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But I am sure that our cooperation will develop no matter what.
Head of the Murmansk Branch of the Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg, Consul Mr. Larry Peltonen and Consul of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Norway in Murmansk Mr. Håkon Christensen Mue congratulated the city of Murmansk on the anniversary and expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation.
Mr. Larry Peltonen in his congratulations noted that for Finnish Lapland Murmansk has been a reliable partner for many decades, and Murmansk and Rovaniemi became sister cities more than fifty years ago. The development of tourism, the increase in trade ties and communication between the inhabitants of our countries – these are the tasks for the future.
In his welcoming speech, the Consul of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Norway in the city of Murmansk, Mr. Håkon Christensen Mue, emphasized that Murmansk is one of the centers of international cooperation in the north.
“It is symbolic that today we have gathered here at the monument to the sister cities of Murmansk,” the consul noted. – After all, it is he who is a symbol of goodwill and mutual desire of townspeople to maintain and develop ties, honor and respect each other"s traditions and cultures.
The city of Murmansk is actively developing international cooperation, including with twin cities. Sister-city ties were established and developed as a sign of mutual sympathy among city dwellers, as a symbol of their common destiny, as an example of relations between people connected by historical memory, respecting each other"s traditions and culture.
Today Murmansk has 11 sister cities from 10 countries of the world: Rovaniemi (Finland), Luleå (Sweden), Tromso and Vadso (Norway), Jacksonville (USA), Groningen (Netherlands), Szczecin (Poland), Akureyri (Iceland) , Alanya (Turkey), Minsk (Belarus), Harbin (China).
In addition, on February 8, 2017, a protocol of intent was signed, negotiations were held on cooperation between the municipal formation of the city of Murmansk (Russian Federation) and the commune of Sør-Varanger (Kingdom of Norway).
Today Murmansk has significant experience in creating, maintaining and developing sustainable and truly effective relations with sister cities.
It should be noted that even in conditions of restrictive measures related to preventing the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), in the conditions of closed borders, the city of Murmansk continues to develop inter-municipal cooperation, including with foreign countries. In particular, the organization of online meetings and forums is carried out with sister cities.
