A DELEGATION from the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv – which is twinned with St Helier – visited Jersey this week, to cement the relationship and build further links.
Mykolaiv has been under bombardment this week with at least 18 people injured in the city.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Mykolaiv saw its population decrease from 500,000 to a low of around 230,000 before rising to its current 350,000.
St Helier was twinned with the Ukrainian city in February, when a number of Islanders – including members of the Ukrainian community – voted unanimously in favour of the motion proposed by St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft.
Mr Crowcroft said: ‘Mykolaiv has a port, has a very important harbour, has a big zoo. It’s kind of an outpost, a bit like the way we are in Jersey and St Helier – an outpost of the British Isles.
‘And it’s obviously got educational institutions and all sorts of things we can link with. Agriculture is very important, as it is in Jersey. And it also has a lot of maritime history and heritage.’
He added: ‘Since then, we’ve held a number of fundraising activities; there’s been a couple of musical concerts to raise money.
‘It’s our hope that when peace comes we’ll be able to send the choir and other young people to Mykolaiv to cement that relationship.’
The Mykolaiv officials are in Jersey forging new relationships for their future after the war. The delegation, made up of Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych, Deputy Mayor Serhii Koreniev and Energy Infrastructure Deputy and adviser to the mayor Dmytro Kolosovskyy, visited a range of services including Jersey Library, Ports of Jersey, the Municipal Services Depot and St Ewolds Residential Home.
They also met members of the Island’s Ukrainian community and laid a wreath at memorials that honour, among others, Ukrainian slave workers at La Hougue Bie and Westmount.
Meetings also took place with JCG, Jersey Overseas Aid and Digital Jersey – and the group also visited the Zoo.
There are hopes for partnerships between schools, with Ukraine’s digital sector, and between the jurisdictions’ two zoos.
‘We’re really pleased to be here with this warm meeting and warm hospitality,’ Mr Senkevych said.
‘I hope someday we will see Mayor Simon in Ukraine in Mykolaiv and will be also able to show our Ukrainian hospitality.’
Mr Senkevych is the subject of the Saturday Interview.
