With the district reform in 1993, implemented under the then Prime Minister Manfred Stolpe, the independent city of Frankfurt (Oder) and the newly founded district of Oder-Spree officially became neighbors. After more than 30 years of good cooperation and neighborly relations, there was a premiere on Tuesday, February 20, 2024: For the first time, the administrative heads met together.
At the meeting in Frankfurt (Oder), which was attended by Lord Mayor René Wilke (Die Linke) and District Administrator Frank Steffen (SPD) as well as the department heads, aldermen and the treasurer of Frankfurt, various topics of common interest were discussed in depth.
The topics discussed included cooperation between the municipalities in relation to the hunting and fishing authorities, veterinary and food monitoring tasks and areas of activity of the registry office. On the subject of economic development, the heads of administration agreed on the goal of further strengthening regional marketing. They also discussed the further need to jointly shape the complex developments resulting from the establishment of TESLA in Grünheide. In addition, the accommodation of refugees in properties of the Central Aliens Authority of the state of Brandenburg, which are located in both regions, was an important topic. As was the implementation of the public law agreement on the Oderland regional control center for rescue services, fire and disaster control, which has been based in Frankfurt (Oder) for 18 years.
Frank Steffen, District Administrator of the Oder-Spree district: "Frankfurt (Oder) and the Oder-Spree district have many common but also different interests. It is just as important to strengthen each other in the areas where they overlap as it is to understand, accept and tolerate each other's differences. Personal discussion is and remains the best way to achieve this. Today's meeting proved this once again. We would like to thank you for the partnership-based discussion and will of course return Frankfurt's invitation."
René Wilke, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt (Oder): "Positive developments, whether economic, social or cultural, can only be achieved by working together. The independent city of Frankfurt (Oder) has districts in the neighborhood where this is fortunately seen in the same way. Together, we want to benefit from our strengths and continue to develop as a region. In the service of our citizens. Today's discussion in this spirit has helped us a great deal. Our heartfelt thanks go to the administrative leadership of the Oder-Spree district for the excellent preparation. We are already looking forward to the next meeting."