"Today we celebrate the birthday of Lithuanian State. It is meaningful that today, on this occasion we have a new partner city Vinnytsia. From this moment Panevėžys and Vinnytsia can develop closer bilateral relations in exchanging the experience, knowledge and modern technologies in all spheres of life: economy, health protection, culture, science, sports, tourism, ecology, etc.",- said the City Mayor V. Satkevičius.

"First, I would like to congratulate all of you with the Regaining of Statehood of Lithuania. We are happy that since today we will become partner cities. We think that partnership relations can help our mutual cooperation in economical, cultural, social, educational spheres in fostering the well-being of the inhabitants of both cities. Speaking about this time, the support of Lithuania is of extreme importance for us",- stated the Mayor of Vinnytsia S. Morgunov.

The main aim of the partnership is the expansion of relations between the communities of both cities.

Vinnytsia is located in the South West of Ukraine and it is an administrational centre. Light industry, machine construction, food industry are developed here. The city is situated on the banks of the River Bug. There are 4 museums, 43 secondary schools, 5 higher educational institutions. It has over 350 thousand of inhabitants.

At present, Vinnytsia has 6 partner cities abroad: Kielce (Poland), Peterborough (The United Kingdom), Birmingham(the USA), Jasi (Romania), Ribnica (Moldova) and Bursa (Turkey).

Panevėžys has 10 partner cities abroad: Lunen (Germany), Lublin(Poland), Kalmar (Sweden), Goes (the Netherlands), Kolding (Denmark), Mytyshi, Kaliningrad (Russia), Daugavpils (Latvia), Gabrovo (Bulgaria) and Rakvere (Estonia). Vinnytsia became the 11th partner city of Panevėžys.