Mayor Knecht said: "The town twinning is becoming increasingly important. We are pleased that we continue to have reliable and committed partners in Bergamo, even after the local elections in Italy. I am particularly pleased that the District Administrator and Lord Mayor are not only pulling together on this issue." District Administrator Allgaier added: "We are very pleased that the cooperation with the province of Bergamo is becoming ever closer. The current agreements are the best proof that the partnership is profitable for all sides and is being actively practiced. The partnership is a very good example of German-Italian friendship."
Cooperation is being intensified in various areas
During the current visit, closer cooperation in the area of economic development was agreed, which is to be adopted in a joint declaration in the fall. In addition, a joint economic forum between the two cities and regions is to be held regularly in future. Cooperation will also be intensified in the area of tourism: In addition to the exchange and sale of typical regional products at markets and events, tourism marketing for the other region is to be strengthened. The participants see culture as another focus of joint projects. In particular, a joint event of the Ludwigsburg Castle Festival and the Teatro Donizetti is to be implemented.
The visit to the hospital in Bergamo, which became sadly famous at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, was a particularly moving moment for the mayor and district administrator. Afterwards, the current healthcare policy in Germany and Italy was discussed in four intensive hours, focusing in particular on the hospital reform that had been initiated. It became clear that Bergamo and Ludwigsburg are facing similar challenges, particularly when it comes to recruiting specialists, telemedicine and digitalization. Financing and quality of care play a central role here.
