Imatra and Nizhyn deepen their cooperation 

Imatra deepens its partnership with the Ukrainian city of Nizhyn. Cooperation with Nizhyn began soon after the start of the war in Ukraine. The cities will sign a cooperation agreement in December 2022. 

Representatives of Nizhyn and Imatra have met face to face three times. Through the meetings, it has become clear that both cities have a desire to deepen the well-started cooperation into twinning city activities.

—Due to the state of war, cooperation is currently focused on supporting Nizhyn in different ways. The cooperation between the companies can be started after the situation in Ukraine normalizes, the head of international affairs Tea Laitimo says. 

As a first twinning gesture, a soccer team from Nizhyn will arrive at the children's Cross Border Cup soccer tournament in August. The city of Imatra supports the team's visit by participating in travel expenses. 

Already seven twin cities 

Imatra already has seven sister cities. Cities are  

• Ludvika (Sweden) 

• Salzgitter (Germany) 

• Zvolen (Slovakia) 

• Szigetvár (Hungary)  

• Narva-Joesuu (Estonia) 

• Jiaxing (China) 

• Tihvina (Russia. Relations frozen in February 2022.) 

The cooperation has traditionally been active, especially with Salzgitter and Zvolen. Recently, communication with the Estonian city of Narva-Joesuu has also become closer. 

—Finland and Estonia have a lot in common in this world situation. Cooperation with Narva-Joesuu has increased and there is also a team from there, for example, coming to the football tournament in August, Laitimo says. 

For more information: 

Head of International Affairs Tea Laitimo, teaimatra.fi (tea[dot]laitimo[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 2212