Bălți Mayor Alexandr Petkov believes that cooperation with international partners is a valid tool for modernizing the city. He made this statement during a meeting with guests from various countries who participated in the launch of the "Bălți – Youth Capital 2026" program.

"International partnerships are an effective tool for modernizing the city and its sustainable development," Petkov said.

He noted that Andrzej Nowakowski, the mayor of Płock, Poland, made his first visit to Bălți. A partnership agreement between the two municipalities was signed 25 years ago.

"Plock's dynamic development in recent years serves as a useful benchmark for Bălți. The local administration's policy of openness and cooperation aimed at modernizing the city has found a warm response from our Polish colleagues. "Last year, a children's football team from Bălți participated in the traditional tournament in Płock for the first time. This experience was unforgettable for each young athlete. We agreed that our football players will travel to Płock again this year to demonstrate their skills and make new friends," noted the Mayor of Bălți.

He also met with the Mayor of Botoșani, Cosmin Ionuț Andrei, who was also visiting Bălți for the first time.