Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Government officials are aiming to establish a formal sister city relationship (twinning) between Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and either Naples or Sicily in Italy. This initiative has the backing of the Italian embassy in Mexico, according to interim mayor Francisco José Martínez Gil.
The announcement was made during a press conference held last week aboard the Italian ship Amerigo Vespucci. After extending a warm welcome to the Italian delegation, Mayor Gil highlighted the beauty of Puerto Vallarta and expressed his desire to collaborate with Italy for the city’s benefit.
The Italian ambassador, Alessandro Modiano, outlined the initial steps towards twinning. These include identifying a suitable counterpart city in Italy and facilitating exchange visits between delegations. He acknowledged the process would require time to achieve concrete results.
Ambassador Modiano also suggested that Puerto Vallarta focus more on attracting European tourists, particularly by emphasizing cultural attractions. He pointed to the potential of developing the archaeological zones in the metropolis (e.g. Ixtapa and Ixtlan del Rio, Nayarit) as a unique draw for European visitors seeking cultural experiences beyond beaches.
Mexico’s Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, María Teresa Mercado Pérez, emphasized the strong ties and collaborative partnership between the two nations. She highlighted the 150-year history of diplomatic relations, shared values, and a robust institutional framework that facilitates ongoing dialogue and economic exchange.
Notably, Italy is Mexico’s third-largest trading partner within the European Union, with bilateral trade and Italian foreign direct investment in Mexico exceeding $7.7 billion between 2006 and 2023. Furthermore, the two countries collaborate extensively on cultural matters, including the protection and exchange of cultural artifacts and historical heritage.
The Mexican government expressed its commitment to further strengthen educational and cultural cooperation, as well as commercial ties and investment with Italy.
