Odessa, 08 JULY 2016, CONTEXT-Prichernomorie -- In preparation for the International Economic Forum, the mayor of Odessa Gennady Truhanov and his Deputy Oles Yanchuk made a working visit to the sister city Marseille, the correspondent of IA «Context-Prichernomorie» reports.

It was reported to the agency today, July 8, in the Department of Information of the Odessa City Council.

According to the Department, in preparation for the International Economic Forum scheduled to be held in Odessa in autumn 2016, the mayor of Odessa G. Truhanov and Vice-mayor O. Yanchuk attended sister city Marseille (France). In the nearly 45-year history of the sister city relations between Odessa and Marseille the mayor of Odessa for the first time visited French sister city. In honor of the arrival of the official delegation from Odessa in the city hall of Marseille hosted an official reception, raised the State Flag of Ukraine and hosted a dinner with the participation of the first persons.

During the visit, G. Truhanov held business talks with the Mayor of Marseille Jean-Claude Gaudin and the Deputy mayor of Marseille Jean Roatta. The parties discussed ways to enhance cooperation between sister cities in economic, cultural and tourism sectors. With the aim of attracting investment and participation of the companies of Marseille and the region Bouches-du-Rhône in investment projects, the French side has received the invitation of the Odessa city hall to take part in International Economic Forum, as well as in the celebration on the occasion of the city Day of Odessa in 2016.

In turn, the Mayor of Marseille invited Odessa colleagues to take part in the festivities, scheduled for 2017, which will be hosted by Marseille as the capital of European sport.

The parties agreed to exchange in 2016 and 2017 of official delegations with the participation of mayors and representatives of big business for mutual development of economic cooperation.

It was also agreed on a joint celebration in 2017 of the 45th anniversary of sister city relations between Odessa and Marseille.

G. Truhanov got acquainted with the work of the municipal services of the sister city in the framework of the welcome of the Euro-2016 matches on recently opened stadium «Stade Vélodrome» after an extensive renovation.

During the visit, Vice-mayor of Odessa O. Yanchuk has met with the head of the Association «Marseille — Odessa» Natalia Meyer-Dobrianska. On the meeting were discussed issues of cooperation in the sphere of culture and education, support of the Ukrainian Diaspora living in the south of France, as well as the need to open in Marseille Honorary Consulate of Ukraine.