Kyiv and Brussels Become Sister Cities

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and Brussels head Philippe Close officially signed a cooperation agreement between the two capitals on Thursday. Vitali Klitschko announced this in his Telegram channel.

The signing took place during the Kyiv Investment Forum held in Brussels. The agreement includes various initiatives, such as establishing a rehabilitation center for military personnel, upgrading hospital departments, and setting up laboratories for the production of innovative biomedical products.

"To restore and develop the Ukrainian capital, international support is crucial. The Brussels platform, created by European cities last year to assist Kyiv, has already initiated active processes in important projects for Kyiv, including the creation of a modern rehabilitation center for the military, equipping medical institutions in the capital, and establishing a laboratory for the production of innovative biomedical products, as well as social support," stated Vitali Klitschko.

According to information from the Kyiv City Council, the Ukrainian capital has already entered into twinning agreements with more than 70 cities, with 12 of them signed after the full-scale invasion by Russia on February 24, 2022.

"Today, we cooperate with European municipalities that communicate with local businesses, seek opportunities for the implementation of priority projects, including in the fields of medicine, energy and environmental safety, education, communal services, and public transport renewal," emphasized the mayor of the Ukrainian capital.

The most recent city to enter into a similar agreement was Berlin. The twinning agreement between the Ukrainian and German capitals was signed during the Kyiv Mayor's visit to Berlin in September. For the German capital, which previously had 17 sister cities, this agreement marked the first in the last 23 years. The agreement between the capitals of Ukraine and Germany involves collaboration in various areas, including mutual support in case of natural disasters, and establishes a channel for bilateral communication for this purpose. Berlin became Kyiv's third German sister city, following Munich and Leipzig.

According to official data from the Kyiv City Council, the Ukrainian capital has already made twinning agreements with 70 cities, with eleven of them signed after the full-scale invasion by Russia on February 24, 2022.