The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
‘City twinning secure after Brexit vote’
Councillors have been told that the controversial Brexit vote to quit the EU should not threaten the 60-year-old twinning link between Inverness and the German city Augsburg.
Officials have moved to provide reassurance over the future of the Highland capital’s ties.
Provost Helen Carmichael recently led a delegation from Inverness to Augsburg to commemorate the diamond anniversary of the twinning arrangement.
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are also keen to develop greater economic and educational links with the city, particularly in the field of health sciences.
In a report to a meeting of the Inverness City Committee next week, officers also discussed the implications of the vote in June for Britain to leave the EU. The implications of ‘Brexit’ on the future of our relationships with Europe will also need to be considered,” it said.
“Town twinning with Augsburg was a result of the postwar settlement in Europe and pre-dates our membership of the EU by almost 20 years, so EU membership was not crucial to the development of links. However, from a financial point of view, EU membership or a relationship with the EU is important if we want to carry on accessing funding.”