In an event full of historical and cultural significance, the mayor of San Antonio (Texas-USA), Ron Nirenberg, has begun his official visit to Lanzarote accompanied by the president of the Island Council, Oswaldo Betancort, and a delegation of institutional and business representatives.
The main objective of the visit is the signing of a Sister City Agreement between both locations, a document that strengthens the ties that have linked the Canary Islands with this area of the United States since the 18th century, when many island families emigrated to Texas (1731) to populate the region that is now known as San Antonio, in the name of the Spanish Kingdom and later establishing there the first Texan Council and civil government.
President Oswaldo Betancort, one of the main promoters in recent years of this improved cultural and commercial relationship between those who share history on both sides of the Atlantic, has underlined the relevance of this Sister City Agreement, "which becomes an opportunity to strengthen our cultural and historical connection; an ideal channel to transmit our sustainable development policy, also facilitating the opening of new marketing channels that enhance our primary sector and open niches of technological innovation because we share sustainable development models."
Likewise, the island president thanked Mayor Nirenberg for his work and perseverance in not forgetting the contribution of the Lanzarote families in the founding of his city. "With this alliance we hope to continue feeding this relationship for another 300 years. That will be good news for our companies and entrepreneurs, because wealth arises from exchange."
The official twinning ceremony, which took place this Monday at the Presidency of the Cabildo, was also attended by the Minister of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Migdalia Machín, and the President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Astrid Pérez, invited by the island president. This twinning cements a close collaboration that encompasses strategic areas such as economic cooperation or the preservation of heritage and environmental education.
During the event, Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed his enthusiasm for this alliance: "San Antonio would not be what it is today without the Canarian and Lanzarote heritage. This twinning, which was approved by the San Antonio council unanimously, is a recognition of our common history and a commitment to a future of cooperation and exchange."
A cultural and commercial alliance
In the business field, the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, José Valle, highlighted the potential of this twinning to attract investments and promote new business opportunities: "San Antonio and Lanzarote share a vision of sustainable development and a mutual interest in the expansion of their economic sectors. This twinning will allow us to explore synergies in tourism, commerce and renewable energies, and will give support so that our companies can enter Texas with the help of top-level partners."
For his part, the Honorary Consul of Spain in San Antonio, Steve Chiscano, underlined the importance of this alliance for the Hispanic community of Texas: "This relationship reinforces the identity and legacy of the descendants of Canarians in San Antonio and brings us even closer to our shared history. Lanzarote has had an unimaginable impact on the United States and the descendants of Canarians in Texas want to build new economic ties with the land of their ancestors. We must not miss this opportunity."
For his part, the Councilor of the Art, Culture and Tourism Centers (CACT), Ángel Vázquez, highlighted the fact that "the Canary Islands and Lanzarote have a lot of talent and a lot to give. We hope that with the help of your administration we can export that talent to Texas, and attract yours to Lanzarote in a cultural and commercial exchange that revolves around our common history."
Table on economic cooperation
The program of the visit continues this Monday afternoon with the presence of the American expedition at the Gala Qué Buenos Canarias, and with an important round table on economic cooperation that will take place this Tuesday in the Islote de La Fermina, where the CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Foreign Affairs of Lanzarote, Héctor Fernandez, and business representatives of entities such as the Regulatory Council of Wine of Lanzarote, the Association of Artisan Cheese Factories (AQUAL) or the tourism employers, among others, will discuss the opportunities for collaboration in innovation and sustainable development that open up with this new alliance.
With this twinning, San Antonio and Lanzarote "consolidate a historical relationship of almost 300 years and establish the bases for a fruitful collaboration in multiple areas, promoting mutual understanding and joint growth."