Lilburn Becomes a 'Sister City' With Kosovo Town

The city of Lilburn officially became a "Sister City" with the Kosovo city of Suhareka on Monday (July 15), a month after local Mayor Johnny Crist took a business trip there.

A delegation of 22 dignitaries from the southeastern European country and Gwinnett County gathered for a welcome dinner hosted by the Gwinnett Chamber, according to a news release from city public relations manager Nikki Perry.

A Sister City proclamation was read and the mayor of Suhareka was presented with a key to the city of Lilburn.

“I am delighted that the city of Lilburn and Suhareka have joined as Sister Cities. Our cities will strengthen each other through the exchange of ideas and the relationships formed through this new bond,” Crist said.

Among the guests at the dinner were Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash, Commissioner Lynette Howard, Lilburn Mayor Johnny Crist, Lilburn City Manager Bill Johnsa, Snellville Mayor Kelly Kautz, Chamber President Daniel Kaufman, Senior Vice President of Economic Development & Partnership Gwinnett Nick Masino and Gwinnett Municipal Association Managing Director Randy Meachem.

Suhareka Mayor Blerim Kuqi is in Lilburn this week with a group of eight educators, medical professionals and government officials to Lilburn to learn about the city government, network with local doctors and businesses and see the sights in the Atlanta area.

Lilburn Mayor Johnny Crist plans to visit Kosovo in September with a group of doctors, business people and artists. It will be his second trip to Kosovo this year. In June, Crist visited with Mayor Kuqi while on a church-related trip to Kosovo and paved the way for this new opportunity for cultural and educational exchanges.

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