Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Dijon and the Region engage with the City of Vinnytsia and its Oblast, in Ukraine

Initiated several months ago, the rapprochement between the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, the Vinnytsia Oblast in Ukraine, and their two capitals came to fruition on Tuesday, May 13, with the signing of the cooperation agreement at the Palais des Ducs in Dijon.

Two separate documents, one at the regional level, the other at the metropolitan level, which must serve as a basis for multiple partnerships in the fields of education, health, research, regional planning and culture.

"More than just a demonstration of our support and solidarity, this agreement lays the foundations for a balanced and lasting commitment that will mutually and concretely benefit our four communities, economically, socially, and culturally," insisted Dijon Mayor Nathalie Koenders (PS). She recalled that such an alliance was "unique" at the present time.

"This partnership illustrates the ability of local authorities to make a concrete contribution to building peace and strengthening ties between peoples. More than an administrative act, it represents a promise of solidarity, a demonstration of friendship, and a symbol of our shared Franco-Ukrainian future."

While regional councillors will be asked to vote on a twinning proposal between Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Vinnytsia Oblast on 27 June, the President of the Region, Marie-Guite Dufay (PS), recalled that the local authority had been one of the first to commit to Ukraine in 2022, notably by releasing emergency aid of €500,000. "This four-way partnership seals our shared desire to act in the service of the population. This cooperation has already resulted in several significant projects. Such as support for the rehabilitation of a social centre for disabled children in Vinnytsia Oblast, the training of energy managers to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings, the hosting of a Ukrainian class in Dijon last summer and the creation of a local democracy agency in Vinnytsia. We have also worked on developing medical projects, in conjunction with the University Hospital, but also educational projects with the University of Burgundy, Sciences Po Dijon and the Belfort-Montbéliard University of Technology."

After thanking France and its citizens for their support to Ukraine, representatives of the Oblast and the City of Vinnytsia recalled that while their priority was to restore peace, they also had much to offer us. On the medical, agricultural, and academic levels. The University of Donetsk, the industrial capital of Russian-occupied Ukraine , has been based in Vinnytsia since the start of the war.