With support from the Swedish Foreign Ministry's scheme to encourage twinning agreements in 2001, the Municipality of Gotland started cooperation with the Maltese island of Gozo. The two islands, with their long history and living cultural traditions, have decided on a joint focus on handicrafts. A twinning agreement was signed on 8 October 2001 by the Chairman of the Gotland Municipal Executive Committee, Hans Klintbom, and the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono.