The City of Austin and Florence, Italy entered into a “historic agreement” to facilitate educational, cultural and business collaborations between the two cities, according to a city release Wednesday. The City of Austin’s Economic Development Department announced the signing of the Protocol of Cooperation Agreement.

Officials noted international collaborations will help “promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and global connectivity” between Austin and communities around the globe. “I am thrilled to see the Protocol of Cooperation Agreement between Austin and Florence come to fruition. By building bridges across continents, we are strengthening global connections and paving the way for a brighter future,” Mayor Kirk Watson said in the release.