Chair of Somerset Council Mike Best has visited the Ukrainian Embassy in London to progress collaboration between Somerset and the Vinnytsia region in Ukraine.
Somerset Council was approached by the Ukrainian Embassy to explore a non-legally binding cooperation agreement between Somerset and the region for an initial period of 5 years. A number of other local authorities are developing similar agreements as the basis for long term collaboration with regions of the Ukraine.
Councillor Best said:
This agreement is a positive step towards opening avenues of joint working that would previously have been difficult as well as showing Somerset’s continued solidarity with Ukraine and sending a clear message of belonging to the Ukrainians who have sought refuge and been welcomed here.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said:
Today, we are witnessing a truly remarkable event — the establishment of a partnership between two important regions of Ukraine and the UK.
I hope this marks the beginning of fruitful co-operation across all key areas. I express my sincere gratitude to our British partners and believe that our regions will become true friends.
The Vinnytsia region, also known as Vinnytsia Oblast is in the southwest of Ukraine. Its administrative centre is the city of Vinnytsia, and it borders Moldova to the south. The region has a population of 1.5m (2022).
The economy of the region is focused mainly on agriculture, including grain and sugar production, minerals, quarrying, manufacturing and electricity generation are also important to the economy of the region. There is a growing digital sector and a thriving education system. The region of Vinnytsia also has rich historical and cultural heritage and hosts three of the seven Wonders of Ukraine which attracts a number of tourists each year.
The Council is also working with the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Further Education College partners in Somerset about the collaboration.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will aim to achieve knowledge transfer, educational and trade exchanges, and encourage inward investment opportunities between Vinnytsia Region and Somerset.
Other areas exploring similar agreements include Norfolk who are working with Lviv and Kent who are working with Chernihiv, as well as Local Government Association colleagues, and Peterborough, twinned with the city of Vinnytsia, to help Somerset learn from their experience.
The relationship is being developed through a series of online meetings and the joint signature of the agreement will be facilitated by the Ukrainian Embassy.
Image features Cllr Best signing the Memorandum of Understanding, watched by the Ukraine Ambassador.
