Bradford on Avon Town Council has voted to establish a friendship link with a city in Ukraine.
At Full Council on Tuesday 10 November, town councillors unanimously agreed to form a friendship link with Yahotyn in the Kyiv region of Ukraine.
Councillors heard about the northern city from Yuliia Semenova and Yuliana Nesteruk.
Mayor of Bradford on Avon, Councillor Sam Blackwell said: “I am delighted that the town council has voted unanimously to establish a friendship agreement with Yahotyn in Ukraine’s Kyiv region.
“Our community has stood alongside Ukraine since the start of the war, welcoming more than 100 Ukrainians to the town and the surrounding villages. This agreement reflects our ongoing support and offers a foundation for future cultural, educational and community links between our towns,” he added.
“More than anything, I hope it will be a clear signal of our unwavering support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they continue a daily struggle for the freedom and independence of their nation.”
Councillors also agreed that a symbolic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be drafted to formalise the proposed friendship link, recognising the importance of building friendships and connections with communities around the world, now more than ever.
The draft MOU will be presented at a future Full Council meeting for consideration.
Bradford on Avon has formal twinning links with Sully-sur-Loire in France, Elblag in Poland and Norden in Germany, as well as a friendship link with Tubas in Palestine.
The Mayor of Yahotyn, Nataliia Dzyuba, also sent in a video message to the town council (below).