Vitebsk is the fourth largest and the second oldest Byelorussian city. Over 380 000 of inhabitants reside there. Vitebsk was established in 974 and since the XIVth century it used to belong to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. At present, it is the centre of industry, culture and science.

Vitebsk is also the capital of culture of Byelorussia and often called the second Paris as a number of famous painters, artists (Marc Chagall, Kasimir Malevich, Ilya Repin) lived and worked there.  The pride of Vitebsk is the Museum of M. Shagal, festivals and cultural events.

The first cooperation contacts with this Byelorussian City have been started in the frames of three joint application forms for the EU programmes LITHUANIA-LATVIA-BYELORUSSIA and  LITHUANIA-BYELORUSSIA. Daugavpils, the partner city of Panevėžys has brought its contribution to the above mentioned initiatives (Vitebsk is also the partner city of Daugavpils).