Representatives from Southwest Finland and Ukraine met in Turku on 27 August to discuss future cooperation and identify concrete opportunities for collaboration in areas such as education, healthcare, energy, digital solutions and regional development.
H.E. Mykhailo Vydoinyk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland, visited the Regional Council of Southwest Finland on Thursday, 27 August. The meeting also brought together representatives of Kyiv Regional Council, participating remotely from Ukraine, and a broad range of organisations from Southwest Finland.
The participants discussed the current situation in Ukraine, the reconstruction needs of the Kyiv region and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Ukrainian and Southwest Finnish organisations.
Ambassador Vydoinyk described the situation in Ukraine as extremely challenging. Particular concerns relate to the approaching winter and the continuing attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, including energy, water and transport systems. The discussion also highlighted the need to strengthen emergency response capacities and improve the protection of rescue personnel working in conflict-affected areas.
Vladyslav Lisniak, Head of International Cooperation Department at Kyiv Regional Council, presented the region’s current situation and its priorities for reconstruction and resilience. Potential areas for cooperation include renewable energy and energy efficiency, education, healthcare, digital services, municipal administration, regional development and the exchange of expertise between organisations in Kyiv region and Southwest Finland.
“Supporting Ukraine is not only about providing assistance. It is also about building long-term partnerships. Through cooperation, we can share expertise and develop solutions that benefit both Ukraine and Southwest Finland,” said Jyri Arponen, Regional Mayor of Southwest Finland.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Regional Council of Southwest Finland, the Embassy of Ukraine in Finland, Kyiv Regional Council, Turku University of Applied Sciences, the Turku Chamber of Commerce, the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland (Varha), the Municipality of Oripää, the University of Turku and Feeniksin Kilta Association.
The next step is to continue discussions between organisations on thematic areas of cooperation and identify concrete opportunities for partnership. The participants also discussed preparations for a Memorandum of Understanding between Southwest Finland and Kyiv region that would provide a framework for long-term collaboration.
The meeting concluded with information about the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs joining the UNITED24 fundraising campaign for the procurement of ten Type C ambulances for Ukrainian hospitals. The ambulances will serve as mobile intensive care units and support emergency medical services operating under extremely challenging conditions.
