Twinning was created after the Second World War in an attempt to establish better relations between Britain and Germany. This was later expanded to include other countries. East Lothian currently has 6 very active twinning links and 1 sister link.

The Council's efforts to date have almost exclusively been targeted at supporting these existing links and assisting the twinning associations.

Both Champigny and Aubigny entered into twinning arrangements as a result of personal contacts. Rosignano twinned with Musselburgh because Champigny was already twinned with Rosignano, and a three-way link was considered advantageous.

Dunbar entered into a sister-city link with Martinez, California as the national park founder, John Muir, was born in Dunbar and later went to live in Martinez.

As a result of a mutual interest in the work of artist John Bellany, a partnership was formed with Barga, Italy and Prestonpans/Cockenzie & Port Seton & Longniddry.