The Chortkiv municipality of Ternopil region officially twinned with the city of Talsi, Latvia. The partnership agreement between municipalities was signed on 9 August 2022 by Volodymyr Shmatko, Mayor of Chortkiv, and Sandra Pētersone, Chairperson of the Talsi County Council.

The agreement establishes long-term cooperation in economic development, investment projects, culture, art, sports, education and other areas to promote the prosperity and development of both cities.

Earlier, in March 2022, the Chortkiv municipality twinned with the French municipality of Beziers.

The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine welcomed the twinning, calling such a step mutually beneficial.

“Ukrainian municipalities have been well-trained by the reform of local self-government and are now being hardened by war. They have vast management experience, from the formation under new conditions and the implementation of reform objectives to ensuring the defence of their territories and providing support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. So there is something to learn from them. On the other hand, our municipalities have faced many difficulties caused by the war. Therefore, the support of municipalities internationally is critical. I congratulate Chortkiv and Talsi on the beginning of their sisterly relations. I firmly believe that they have a fruitful future,” said Viacheslav Nehoda, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territorial Development of Ukraine.

In March, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine initiated the International Marathon of Local Governments aimed at drawing the attention of the municipalities around the world to the tragedy of Ukrainian municipalities and boosting the process of establishing sisterly relations.

In May, the state of Mississippi, US, twinned with the Khmelnytskyi region.

In June 2022, the Twinning Pact was signed by the cities of Bucha and Bergamo (Italy).

The Irpin City Council and the municipality of Miami, US, have recently decided to twin officially. The agreement is to be signed.