Following the Second World War, twinning cities became a successful scheme for promoting understanding and peaceful co-existence between nations who had been at war just one generation previously. At the same time, international municipal partnerships made an important contribution to setting up the European Union.

It was on these premises that numerous city-twinning schemes were founded during the 1950s and 60s. One took a chance with a leap across the pond to America in 1968, and two years later an agreement was reached with Yugoslavia, too.

At the end of the 1980s and beginning of the 90s, several more partnerships were entered into with the conscious intention of making a collaborative contribution to easing tensions and bringing about a peaceful co-existence between eastern and western Europe.

A special feature of the relationship between Esslingen and its partner cities is the union of the ”ring partner cities”. Seven of the ten partner cities are connected with one another through the ring partnership and are mutually committed to multilateral cooperation and continual, open communication.

Over a period of five decades, Esslingen has established a diverse network with its partner cities. This network represents respect, cooperation, and solidarity between people of different origins, language, and mentality.

”We don’t bring cities together, but people.” So said Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers of the European community. One of the most important principles of Esslingen’s partner city policy is to promote the meeting of people at various levels and to give them the opportunity to participate actively in the European integration process.

Over the span of five decades, Esslingen has established a diverse network with its partner cities. This network stands for respect, cooperation, and solidarity between people of different origins, language, and mentality.

“We don’t bring cities together, but people.” That’s what Jean Monnet said, one of the founding fathers of the European community. One of the most important principles of Esslingen’s partner city policy is to promote the meeting of people at various levels and to give them the opportunity to actively participate in the European integration process.