HARARE City Council has twin- ned with the city of Kazan, Russia, as it spreads its bilateral relations globally. Harare has twin relations with cities in Western Europe, America, Asia and Africa. Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda and Kazan Mayor IIsur Metshin, signed the twinning arrangement on December 10 at Florence City in Italy on the sidelines of the executive bureau and world councils meetings of the United Cities and Local Governments.

The mayor of Instabul, Dr Kadir Tophas, witnessed the signing ceremony.

No Harare City officials attended the signing ceremony.

According to the twinning arrangement document, Harare and Kazan will develop their relations in the spirit of friendship, trust and mutual respect.

"In accordance with the agreement the parties intend to carry out the cooperation between the municipal authorities, develop contacts and cooperation in the conservation of the historical monuments and cultural heritage sites and to create favourable conditions for the development of humanitarian and cultural ties between the cities," reads the document.

The two cities hope to promote tourism and to stimulate and develop contacts in the science, education, health and sports areas and to assist each other in the implementation of economic relations.

The two mayors agreed to establish functioning joint ventures and projects of mutual interest.

The cities will also exchange information and expertise in urban planning, architecture, municipal improvements, transport, communications and urban governance.

The cities will hold reciprocal exhibitions and fairs "on the territories of the parties".

Harare has another twining arrangement with the Russian capital of Moscow.

However, the city's delegation that visited Moscow a few years ago failed to follow up on pledges of assistance in water, health, education, tourism and the construction industry.