Debrecen4U September 16, 2026

Debrecen and Kharkiv Sign Twinning Agreement

Papp László, Mayor of Debrecen, and Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv, signed a twinning agreement in Debrecen on 16 September 2026.

Under the agreement, the two cities will promote exchanges and cooperation in the fields of the economy and trade, science and technology, education, culture, tourism, sport, the arts and other areas. They will also encourage and facilitate the preservation and protection of their cities’ cultural heritage. The two sides will organise reciprocal visits and maintain communication on matters of mutual interest in order to deepen cooperation in various fields.

Diplomatic partners have also played an important role in strengthening ties between Debrecen and Kharkiv, supporting and facilitating closer cooperation between the two cities through their work. At the event, Mayor Papp László expressed his thanks to His Excellency Fegyir Sándor, Ambassador of Ukraine to Hungary, and Mr Vladyslav Mushka, Head of Ukraine’s Consulate in Nyíregyháza, for their support in building the relationship.

The agreement will enter into force following a supporting decision by the General Assembly of the Municipality of Debrecen and will remain in effect for an indefinite period.

Kharkiv is Ukraine’s second-largest city and a major economic, scientific and cultural centre in the north-east of the country, with a population exceeding 1.4 million at the beginning of 2022 but declining significantly as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The city has suffered extensive damage, while continuing to be regarded as one of the symbols of the country’s resistance and reconstruction efforts. Key sectors of its economy include machinery manufacturing, transport equipment production, energy equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, as well as information technology and research and development. The city is home to more than thirty higher education institutions.

Debrecen and Kharkiv signed a cooperation agreement in Debrecen on 25 November 2016, marking an important milestone in strengthening urban, economic, educational, scientific and cultural ties between Debrecen and Ukraine. The relationship has also continued at European city-network level: both Debrecen and Kharkiv are members of Eurocities, a consultative cooperation network of local authorities from major European cities, and in 2020–2021 they jointly took part in the Sharing Cities urban knowledge-sharing programme supported by Eurocities. Since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Debrecen has supported Kharkiv through humanitarian assistance, professional cooperation and various solidarity programmes.

Kharkiv is Debrecen’s 22nd twin city. The two cities also share two other twin cities: Brno, Czechia, and Rishon LeZion, Israel.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu