Diverse Opportunities Expected from Twinning of Cities
By: , February 20, 2023
Photo: Okoye Henry
Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Leeroy Williams (seated, centre); Mayor of the Municipality of Sitia, Crete in Greece, Georgios Zervakis (seated, second left); and Regional Director at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Odette Soberam-Dyer (seated, second right), are joined by Councillors of the Corporation and a delegation from Sitia, at the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formally twin the sister cities, at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St. James, on Thursday (February 16).
Photo: Okoye Henry
Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Leeroy Williams (right), presents the Key to the City to Mayor of the Municipality of Sitia, Crete in Greece, Georgios Zervakis, during the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formally twin the sister cities, at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St. James, on Thursday (February 16).
Photo: Okoye Henry
Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Leeroy Williams (centre), and Mayor of the Municipality of Sitia, Crete in Greece, Georgios Zervakis (left), sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formally twin the sister cities, during an official ceremony at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St. James, on Thursday (February 16). Observing is Regional Director at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Odette Soberam-Dyer, who represented Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.The Full Story
Montegonians are being encouraged to capitalise on the opportunities to be presented from the twinning of sister cities, Montego Bay in St. James and Sitia, Crete in Greece, by Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Leeroy Williams.
“When we speak of possibilities, we must ensure that we, especially here in Montego Bay, position ourselves to take advantage of the benefits to be garnered. We must also provide our counterpart with what we have promised and what we have brought to the table, with the intention of sharing with them,” the Mayor said.
He was speaking at the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, on Thursday, February 16.
The Mayor, who is also Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, and Mayor of the Municipality of Sitia, Georgios Zervakis, signed the twinning MOU that is aimed at strengthening relations between both cities and their respective countries, with the promise to share ideas and resources.
Areas to be promoted are education, agriculture, technology, academics, culture commerce and tourism.
The Mayor said he anticipates the “diversified experiences” that will be exchanged to the benefit of the people in both Montego Bay and Sitia, adding to nation-building in their respective countries.
The MOU signing marks the culmination of a process that began September 2022 when Mr. Williams and a delegation from the Corporation travelled to Crete to partake in the first signing.
“I am very happy to be part of this milestone achievement, which is shared between our two cities,” Mr. Williams said.
“Indeed, the relationship that we will officially commence today is an example of that idea of connectedness. Jamaica, as an island, has always shared great relationships with international partners, and we are looking forward to bonding with Sitia, for we do not intend to stand alone,” he added.
For his part, Mayor Zervakis, through an interpreter, noted that it is Sitia’s intention to forge friendships and work together to pursue common interests.
He said cooperation that gives rise to opportunities for citizens to improve their lives socially and financially is a part of this common goal.
“Therefore, we have the ambition and relations between our two nations to create an environment for people, whereby they will upgrade their quality of life,” said Mr. Zervakis.