The cooperation agreement between Imatra and the Ukrainian city of Nizhyn received the first signatures

The cooperation agreement between the Ukrainian city of Nizhyn and Imatra was signed today via Zoom. This was the first stage of the signing process. The agreement will get its final seal in January, when representatives of the city of Nizhyn arrive in Imatra.

The Ukrainian Ambassador was also present at the online meeting Olga Dibrova, which has been proactive in starting urban cooperation. The ambassador emphasized that it is a historic signing, as this is the second agreement drawn up between a Finnish and Ukrainian city, signed in the current new world situation. Only the agreement of Kharkiv and Turku has been signed before this.

On behalf of the city of Imatra, the contract was signed by the Mayor Matias Hilden and accordingly, Nizhyn was represented by the Mayor Oleksandr Kodola. There was also Liaison director from Imatra Tea Laitimo.

- Cultural cooperation is certainly an important part of our partnership at the beginning, but later we have to think about how Imatra and South Karelian business and various actors could use their expertise to help the city of Nizhyn during the reconstruction phase, Hilden wishes.

Nizhyn city councilors at an online meeting. In the middle, the Mayor Oleksandr Kodola.

The Mayor of Imatra, Matias Hilden, signed the agreement and welcomes Nizhyn's representatives to Imatra in January.

An aid shipment is leaving in the second week of January

The city of Imatra has previously approached the northern Ukrainian city of Nizhyn and asked if the citizens could be helped in some way.

- They need aggregates, heaters and power stations. We send those and the aid shipment will be delivered in the second week of January, Laitimo says.

The city of Imatra also asked for new woolen socks and gloves to be distributed as small gifts to the residents of Nizhyn. There have already been several dozen of them in a short time, but we appreciate more. >

- A big thank you to everyone who has already delivered socks and mittens. People have activated to help very quickly, Laitimo says.

For more information:

Liaison Director Tea Laitimo, tel. 020 617 2212, teaimatra.fi (tea[dot]laitimo[at]imatra[dot]fi)