By Jamie Black

A DELEGATION sent out to Dundee’s twin city of Nablus has returned from the Palestinian territories having helped to establish a counterpart twinning organisation which, it is hoped, will strengthen the links between the two municipalities.

Lord Provost John Letford has given his backing to the moves that he hopes will help bring more young visitors to the forthcoming Dundee Youth Festival.

The Dundee Nablus Twinning Association now has the help of the Nablus Dundee Twinning Association, which will galvanise efforts of those struggling to keep regular contact between the cities.

Despite regular contact with organisations in Nablus, the Dundee-formed twinning association has struggled to maintain the connection because of the complexities of the situation in the Palestinian city.

The delegation of Dundee Nablus Twinning Association went for a week-long visit to the Palestinian city and returned with high hopes for future relations.

Julia Droeber, spokesperson for the association, said, “We spoke to a number of organisations, for example a lot of youth groups, who were very keen to make a connection with other young people.

“We now have a counterpart organisation instead of dealing with individuals,” she said. “This year we hope to invite four people from the city to the youth festival in Dundee which has been impossible in the past.

“The young people of Nablus find it very hard to communicate with other people in their own areas, because the of the political problems, never mind with other people abroad.”

Last year’s youth festival, which brought together young people from all of Dundee’s twin cities, was set to welcome Mayor Adli Yaish but he was prevented from travelling to Scotland after being turned back at the border between Israel and Jordan.

Mr Letford has renewed his invitation to the mayor and welcomed the new developments.

He said, “Our main links are with the municipality but it is no surprise to me that they want to set up a counterpart organisation in the city, as a lot of our other twin cities have one.

“It is very encouraging news and it is very welcome.

“There have already been some young people who have managed to come to visit us and take part in certain celebrations but this will certainly enhance communications.

“Anything that helps the prospects of bringing more young people from Nablus or any other city to Dundee is brilliant news,” the lord provost added.