Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller recently expressed gratitude for the opportunity to cultivate a cross-border relationship with Kharkiv, Ukraine, promoting peace and fostering mutual understanding.
Albuquerque announced June 29 it aims to establish a Sister Cities International partnership with the city of Kharkiv, further strengthening the bond between the two locations, according to a news release.
“We’re grateful to foster a relationship with Kharkiv that transcends borders and promotes peace and understanding,” Keller said in the release. “The people and leadership of Kharkiv are incredibly resilient, and we stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian friends, especially as they defend their democracy against Russian invasion.”
This partnership was commemorated through a virtual celebration attended by Keller, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and members of Albuquerque's local Ukrainian community, the release reported. The initiative aims to foster cultural and economic exchanges between the two cities and strengthen the bonds of friendship and collaboration.
“The war continues, and in these difficult times it is especially important for our city to feel the support of the United States of America as a strategic partner of Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression,” Terekhov said in the release. “I am deeply grateful to all Albuquerque citizens and to Timothy Keller personally for this important step toward sister cities relations, which are of great importance for our city."
Terekhov added the cooperation between the two cities "will be a solid foundation for the further development of Kharkiv and Albuquerque in terms of the implementation joint projects aimed at the success of both communities,” according to the release.
“We want to thank Mayors Keller and Terekhov for formalizing this friendship between cities. We are eager to explore how we can involve Albuquerque and the deep expertise of local companies in the rebuilding of Kharkiv,” Economic Development Director Max Gruner said in the release. “I’m looking forward to cultivating this relationship, and to explore mutually beneficial initiatives as the citizens of Kharkiv secure, rebuild and revitalize their home.”
"The relationship between Kharkiv and Albuquerque shows the power of President Eisenhower's vision of citizen diplomacy almost 70 years after the formation of Sister Cities International,” Sister Cities International Board of Directors Chair Peter Svarzbein said in the release. “Now, more than ever before, these kinds of global partnerships and exchanges are so important to residents and cities in the United States and the world as they build bridges of understanding and bring economic, educational and cultural value to our member cities."
"I am proud to see the seed planted by a few citizens from both cities and countries earlier this year has become the reality of a Sister City relationship,” Sister Cities International Country Ukraine Representative Harbir K Bhatia said in the release. “Sister Cities International is truly about the people to people relationships flourishing into great partnerships and friendships. I am looking forward to the bridge being established between Kharkiv and Albuquerque."
"What a joy for the city of Albuquerque, to partner with New Mexico's first Ukrainian sister city — Kharkiv, especially in this critical time where people to people connections, expressing our common humanity and goodwill, are more important than ever," Sister Cities International New Mexico State Representative Richard Buckler added, according to the release.
Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation President Pam Feather noted this partnership established the 11th Sister City for Albuquerque, the release reported.
"Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation is honored to connect people to people for mutual endeavors through humanitarian, educational, cultural and economic programs creating lifelong friendships," Feather said in the release.