A town in northern Italy and a community near Paris are set to be twinned with County Durham after plans were approved by councillors.
Durham County Council's cabinet backed a new relationship between Durham and Castiglione dei Pepoli in Italy at its meeting on Wednesday, October 14.
Councillors also agreed to reinstate the historic twinning arrangement between Bishop Auckland and Ivry-sur-Seine in France, which previously ran from 1962 until 2002.
Cllr Karen Allison, cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, told the meeting: "County Durham is an outward-looking county with an exceptional story to tell internationally through our heritage, culture, landscapes, communities, businesses, and visitor attractions.
"Our international partnerships help us tell that story, but they also create practical opportunities through cultural exchange, tourism, regeneration, business connections, and the sharing of expertise."
Cllr Allison said she particularly welcomed opportunities to develop links around "pilgrimage, heritage, walking and sustainable tourism", as well as renewing the relationship with France.
She added: "This is about quality, not quantity. Partnerships must be purposeful, affordable, and deliver tangible benefit for County Durham."
The Bishop Auckland partnership revives a relationship with Ivry-sur-Seine, near Paris, which lapsed following administrative changes and a reduction in formal activity.
Cllr Joe Quinn, cabinet member for Planning, Investments and Assets, said town twinning was "much more than a civic visit".
"These relationships can connect businesses, schools, cultural organisations, community groups with international partners, opening the doors to new ideas, expertise, and opportunities," he said.
Councillors Karen Allison and Joe Quinn. (Image: Durham County Council)
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County Durham already has active international partnerships with Kreis Wesel and Tübingen in Germany, Banská Bystrica in Slovakia, Alcalá de Guadaíra in Spain and Durham in North Carolina.
Its partnership with Kostroma in Russia was scrapped following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Discussions are also taking place over another potential international link with Tauranga in New Zealand because of the area's historic connections with the Durham Light Infantry.