please welcome mr. tovar>> ladies and gentlemen, my english not so good that i could talk to you in the right way but mr. smith will help me and translate what i say in german. [speaking german] [voice of interpreter] i am delight to have a chance to speak to you today. i'm very proud kiel is now part of your partnership with ditch towns. -- different towns. i love to remember back to the signing of our city partnership back in kiel city hall. even before this official act, lively exchange developed between our two cities. also thanks to the great commitment of the friendship clubs and bay areas and san francisco kiel sister city committee. mayor lee also pursued this partnership. his sudden death has touched many people in kiel, who, like me, knew him as a visionary and generous person. ladies and gentlemen, by now in kiel we have 12 official city partnerships which i take care of as the city president. in so doing, one thing has become clear to me, a lively city friendship can only develop with the particip