Speaking at a twinning ceremony between the localities of Qala and Marsascala, Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Consultation and Information, welcomed the initiative of the two Local Councils and said that they are encouraging greater awareness about localities at home, in this case between the two islands.

The experience of thirteen years of twinning by Local Councils in Malta and Gozo, usually with other countries, showed that the concept of twinning is important in the development of the locality since these experiences help in the sharing of cultures and habits.

Through this cooperation it raises awareness about the habits of the two locations as well as developing friendships and cooperation between localities in different countries.

Each town should be conducive to friendship, cooperation or partnership between the residents of the localities, said the Parliamentary Secretary.

Before the twinning took place there were several common aspects that were identified between the two locations that made the towns closer because of mutual interests. These cover administrative, social, cultural, environmental, religion and sports.

Chris Said said that the success and the way that the twnning evolved between the town of Qala and Marsascala is due to the similarities between the two locations. Indeed, the agreement of co-operation is based on a number of common aspects.

Amongst others, the two localities are situated near the sea, a natural element which has affected both the social and historical development of both communities. There are also cultural similarities mainly through the festivities in honor of St Joseph and Sant’Anna, the band interests and other social, cultural and sporting events.

There is also the common phenomenon of a substantial number of foreign residents living in the respective localities and the integration of their way in life with the rest of the community. Other common aspects are that of dialectical words and other general social characteristics.

The Mayor of Qala, Mr Paul Buttigieg said that the city has to serve the residents of both communities who are involved and to make them fully integrated, therefore the chosen motto of the town is – “From People for People, respect, Peace and Friendship. “

Another message that they wanted to give to the town is the fact that the two Local Councils are run by majorities that embrace different political beliefs. Paul Buttigieg stressed that the city must go beyond the boundaries of the two locations and to deliver this positive message to local councils with no room for partisan politics, but there is only room to be with the people and for the common prosperity of both places.

The programme at the ceremony held in Qala included musical excerpts from the singer Walter Micallef and other singers and musicians from the two respective localities, audiovisual clips on 15 years of work by both Local Councils and a dance group from folkloristiku by Menhir Qala.