Bilateral meetings in the municipal context refer to one-on-one meetings between individual mayors and federal ministers or officials. Rather than speaking only through collective organizations, mayors of major cities often seek direct meetings with federal ministers responsible for portfolios affecting their communities—infrastructure, housing, immigration, public safety, and others. These meetings allow mayors to raise specific local concerns, advocate for particular projects, and build relationships that can facilitate future cooperation. The effectiveness of bilateral meetings often depends on the mayor's political connections, the city's importance, and alignment between local and federal priorities.