Berlin, 15/11/2025 (II mandato)
Mr President, dear Frank-Walter,
I am delighted to be here in Berlin to attend this meeting, which carries a twofold meaning.
It is also a pleasure to greet everyone in attendance and, above all, Ms Büdenbender.
We are celebrating the awards ceremony for the third edition of the Presidents’ Award for Municipal Cooperation between Germany and Italy while recalling the agreement that, seventy years ago, prompted many Italian workers to move to Germany. One of their leading and dynamic representatives is here with us today.
The role they played has transcended their work: their commitment, and that of their descendants, promoted unity and fostered ever more integration between Germany and Italy.
I would like to extend my greetings to the mayors and to the members of the jury of the Presidents’ Award.
I would also like to thank President Steinmeier once again, knowing it will never be enough, for this Award initiative and for hosting us today in this beautiful setting of Bellevue Palace, which bestows solemnity to the Award.
Five years have passed since the first edition, which stemmed – in the context of the pandemic emergency – from the desire to further consolidate the solidarity relationship that united us in those severe circumstances.
Now that we have reached the third edition, we can acknowledge that the decision to give due value to Municipalities within the bonds of friendship that unites our peoples was indeed a far-sighted one.
Today, more than ever, Municipalities have taken centre stage in a new chapter of global history.
In a world marked by profound geopolitical and climate-relatedtensions and regressive forces, cities are not merely havens: they are forges of humanity, meeting places for peoples, nodes of a network where it is possible to live experiences capable of improving the lives of our communities.
The Award highlights the role of Municipalities and encourages local administrations to create new relationships with other Countries, thereby developing a real network of municipal diplomacy.
Twinning, cooperation networks, cultural exchanges and joint projects between German and Italian Municipalities provide for greater mutual understanding, hence promoting cooperation and trust.
By combining their respective memories, identities and aspirations, cooperation between Municipalities in our two Countries clearly shows citizens that openness to the world and sharing are beneficial.
This not only makes local communities the ambassadors of the values of their own community, but it also allows them to shape a model for looking confidently to a future that unites us within the European framework.
We know that local communities are, par excellence, places where youths learn the basics of life, as well as values, skills and civic awareness.
This year’s winning projects focus on fostering dialogue between generations and on promoting public venues as places for exchange and social interaction.
A well-maintained park teaches respect for public goods; a youth centre offers opportunities for debate and growth; a supportive neighbourhood teaches that diversity is a source of wealth.
Bringing together people of different ages allows a community to expand and preserve its experience-related heritage.
Local authorities can play a pivotal role in spreading education by supporting projects that encourage young people to learn more about deepen history and of their local area, to partake in public life, to feel responsible for caring for the world, starting with their own streets, their own neighbourhood and their own people, to open up to others and to engage with youths who face the same problems, albeit living elsewhere.
Municipalities are teachers of citizenship: starting with the finalisation, design, organisation and sharing of spaces.
The places where people live, communicate, express themselves and work are, in and of themselves, extremely revealing.
Because that’s where young people truly experience the real meaning of democracy, participation and community life. This is how a community grows, investing in its future.
Municipalities end up becoming laboratories of innovation, tackling environmental challenges.
Issues such as pollution, traffic, energy waste, depopulation and the risk of desertification of services for smaller towns are being met by creative solutions. And these solutions benefit national and supranational realities.
Strengthening their leading role, supporting networks between local administrations and promoting dialogue between cities and citizens is indeed a far-sighted approach.
I would therefore like to thank all the German and Italian municipalities that have submitted projects for this Award and I congratulate the Mayors of the winning Municipalities while also expressing my appreciation for their support in consolidating the ties between our countries, our institutions and our citizens.