Mayor signs twinning agreement between Winchester district and Ukraine city
A new twinning agreement is in place between Winchester district and the city of Nizhyn in Ukraine.
The agreement, which was endorsed at a meeting of Winchester City Council last year, was officially signed by the Mayor of Winchester Councillor Sudhakar Achwal during a ceremony at Abbey House on Friday 6 March, alongside city councillors and representatives from Winchester Ukrainian Cultural Association.
Nizhyn (pronounced ‘Nee-jin’) is a historic city located in the Chernihiv region along the Oster River. It has a population of around 72,000 and is home to over 300 historic buildings, 70 of which are of significant cultural and historic value. Its university, which was established in 1805, is one of the oldest in Ukraine.
At the signing, the Mayor of Winchester and Oleksandr Kodola, Mayor of Nizhyn City, ‘met’ online to sign the agreement simultaneously.
Winchester City Council has an ongoing commitment to welcoming Ukrainians seeking a safe place due to the current crisis in the country.
The Mayor of Winchester Cllr Sudhakar Achwal said: “The Winchester district has a strong and special connection with Ukraine. A significant number of Ukrainian refugees currently call the district home, and they are active, valued members of our local community.
“This new twinning agreement will further foster and develop the close ties and mutual understanding between the Twinning Associations and residents of the cities of Winchester and Nizhyn, strengthening community connections, supporting exchange, promoting environmental responsibility, and advocating for the right of every person to live in peace and security.
“This partnership reflects our belief in international friendship. We look forward to the positive impact this twinning agreement will have on our communities and the opportunities it will create for further collaboration and mutual growth.”