SAINT JOHN - The city has a twin on the Adriatic Sea

Senator John Wallace signs an agreement in Koper, Slovenia Thursday making Saint John and Koper sister cities. At right is Mayor Boris Popovic of Koper. Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella, Wallace and Senator George Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador are in Koper as part of an official parliamentary visit to Slovenia. Koper is a seaport rich in history and is located southwest of Trieste, Italy.

On Thursday, an agreement was signed making Saint John and Koper, Slovenia, "sister cities."

"We have many people from the area here in Saint John," Mayor Ivan Court said.

"It's a port city, we're a port city. There may be future plans for trade. When you get into the Adratic, it's a prime location for trade that we never expected.

"There are tourism and economic opportunities.

"We are both trading ports with access to large markets and we look forward to discussing areas where we might develop economic and cultural ties."

Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella said in a press release that twinning the cities could prove mutually beneficial because they share many similarities and concerns.

In the release, Mayor Boris Popovic of Koper said he's pleased with the twinning opportunity.

"I think that twinning of cities around the world is very important as it connects people from different cultures that have the will to create a better tomorrow and bring worldwide benefits," he said.

Saint John and Koper are both coastal cities, their populations are composed of different ethnic groups and both of them have an eventful history.

Senator John Wallace signed the agreement on behalf of the City of Saint John at an official ceremony with Popovic.

"The twinning is an illustration of the friendship between our two nations as well as recognition of the importance of developing regional linkages within a larger global context," Wallace said.

Koper is a seaport rich in history, southwest of Trieste, Italy. It was formerly an island, but is now linked to the mainland by a causeway. At various times in its history it has been held by Napoleonic France, the Austrian Empire, Italy and Yugoslavia. While it retains flavours from each of these cultures, it is strongly influenced by its Italian heritage and proximity. Austrians, Hungarians and Slovakians travel to Koper to access the sea.

Kinsella, Wallace and Senator George Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador are visiting Koper as part of an official parliamentary visit to Slovenia. http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/rss/article/675379