The joint declaration highlights the strategic importance of this project for improving the mobility of over two million people and strengthening the economic and social appeal of the involved territories. It also links the infrastructure to climate action and environmental protection.
Although the line has been partially executed since 2013, the French section to Montpellier still needs to be completed. Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole commits to advocating before French authorities for the common voice of Barcelona and Montpellier to make the project a reality, a vision shared by the Occitanie Region and the Generalitat de Catalunya.
The two cities have maintained a twinning agreement since 1963, which is Barcelona's oldest active partnership. Collaboration extends to infrastructure, sports, and cultural exchanges. The City Council of Barcelona organized the first Summit of Mayors on high-speed trains on October 16, 2008, establishing an interest group with 12 cities to accelerate the project.
Both cities are also part of the Medcités network, currently chaired by Delafosse. This network of 91 Mediterranean cities collaborates on sustainable urban development and the blue economy.
