**York and Lviv Move Closer to Becoming Sister Cities**
After three years of delays, the partnership between York and the Ukrainian city of Lviv has finally gained momentum. The two cities were initially approved as “sister cities” in April 2022, just two months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, opposition councillors had called out the City of York Council for its slow progress on implementing this link.
**Talks to Resume**
The recent confirmation that talks between Labour leader Claire Douglas and Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi are set to resume is a significant step forward. These discussions will focus on how both cities can work together in areas such as culture, education, business, and more. The Sister Cities International organisation explains that this “sisterhood” process would allow the two cities to share knowledge, expertise, and resources.
**Showing Solidarity**
City of York Council’s Labour leader Claire Douglas has expressed her enthusiasm for these talks, stating that their immediate focus is on demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine. She highlighted the practical support being offered to Ukrainian guests in York, as well as extending heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those affected by the conflict.
**Lib Dem Councillor Welcomes Progress**
Councillor Chris Cullwick from the Liberal Democrats has welcomed this movement towards strengthening ties between York and Lviv. His party had been pushing for a “formal sisterhood” since 2022, including tabling a motion calling for this partnership. He emphasized that they want to see momentum continue and are eager to build on these efforts.
**A Meaningful Partnership**
The potential partnership between York and Lviv is not just symbolic; it has real-world implications. Lviv, with its population of over 700,000 people, shares cultural heritage and historical significance with York. Both cities have been designated Unesco Creative Cities for their literary culture. Furthermore, since 2022, 416 Ukrainians have settled in York through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
**A New Era of Cooperation**
As we move forward, it’s essential to recognize that this partnership has the potential to foster meaningful cooperation between two cities from different parts of Europe. By working together, they can share knowledge, expertise, and resources, ultimately benefiting both communities.
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