Twin Cities of Talsi

Talsi Regional Municipality has nine official twin cities (Councils Resolution No. 135 (Protocol No.3; 11.02. 2010.)). Talsi twin cities are: Skolkovo, Moscow Oblast (Russia) with who the first Twinning Agreement was signed in 1967, which was renewed in 2001. Saare County (Estonia), with who the first Twinning Agreement was signed in 1998, as well as, Võhma Municipality(Estonia), who has been sister city of Town of Stende since 2001. Prienai District Municipality (Lithuania) – first Twinning Agreement signed in 1999. Söderköping Municipality (Sweden) – twin city since 1996. Glostrup Municipality (Denmark) is a partner of Talsi Regional Municipality since 1992, as well as, Lejre Municipality (Denmark), who has been an sister city of Administration of Ģibuļi Rural Territory since 2007. Alanya (Turkey) has a Twinning Agreement with Talsi Regional Municipality since 2006 (since 2005 Protocol of Intent). Raalte Municipality (The Netherlands) signed Twinning Agreement with Sabile District Municipality in 2008 (before that a Cooperation Agreement was signed between Municipalities of Sabile and Heino, but in 2011 a new agreement between Raalte Municipality, Talsi Regional Municipality, Society “Vīnoga” and Foundation “Heino-Sabile” was signed). 

Saare County (Estonia)

Saare County or Saaremaa is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It consists of Saaremaa, the largest island in Estonia, and several other islands nearby. Saare County consists of 16 municipalities and its total area is 2 922 km2 with 34 723 inhabitants.

The first Twinning Agreement was signed in November 14th 1998 for five years between Saare County Council and Talsi District Council. The contract was extended in 2003 and 2008. Both sides agree to continue mutually beneficial long term cooperation in cultural, educational and social sphere development, as well as, to cooperate in joint projects, to advance economic growth and to exchange information regarding EU and other funds.

Completed projects:

• November 2005 -  participation in a Priority North Project “Raising environmental Adjustment and Awareness in Talsi and Saaremaa Districts” of European Communities Initiative programme Interreg IIIA; 
• May 2006 -  participation in a Priority North Project “Green Peace for Talsi and Saaremaa” of European Communities Initiative programme Interreg IIIA; 
• February 2006 – participation in Baltic Sea Region Interreg IIIA project for neighbouring countries “Livonia Maritima”.
• Participation in Latvian – Estonian Cross-border Cooperation Programme “Higher Competitiveness of Border Regions”, its project “One Vacation – Two Countries” aims to promote Estonian – Latvian cross-border cooperation and to develop North Courland’s competitiveness in tourism sector. The participants of the project are - Kuressaare City Government, Talsi Region Information Centre and Ventspils City Council. Project plans for Talsi County are:
  - to take part in international tourism fairs (Saint Petersburg, Helsinki, Rīga, Tallinn and Vilnius)
  - to develop joint tourist routs for island of Saaremaa and Region of North Courland
  Start date and expiry date: June 1st, 2009 – May 31st 

Former local governments of Talsi Municipality once cooperated with local governments of Saare County and their friendly relations are continued, for example – Town of Talsi and City of Kuressaare signed Twinning Agreement in 1998. In 2002 Agreement of Cooperation between Lauciene Rural Territory and Muhu Parish was signed, and the friendship between Muhu Elementary School and Lauciene Elementary School is already lasting for 25 years.  During these years both municipalities have held experience visits and have had an active cooperation in fields of culture and education. In 2000 Twinning Agreement between Ģibuļi Rural Territory and Orissaare Parish of Saare County was renewed. All these years collective experience visits have been held between councils of both parishes, as well as, an active cooperation in culture and educational fields. Artist collectives have regularly participated in festivals organized by City of Kurissaare, for example, annual Sea Festival were each year people from neighbouring costal countries meet to better understand cultural riches of their land and its ties with Saaremaa and Courland.

www.saare.ee

Prienai District Municipality (Lithuania)

Prienai District is located in the Southern part of Lithuania, its total area is 1 141 square kilometres and has population of 34 522. Through the City of Prienai flows Nemunas River. Prienai City is a very important point of intersection which is connected with main cities of Lithuania – Vilnius (100km) and Kaunas (30km). Prienai District is divided in 10 elderships. 

First Twining Contract was signed in November 18th 1999, it was renewed in 2005, but on July 2nd 2010 a new contract for next five years with newly created Talsi Regional Municipality was signed. The main aspects of cooperation:

• Health and Social Care;
• Culture;
• Education;
• Tourism;
• Sports;
• Regional Development Planning.

Completed projects:

1. 2003 - 2004 – participation in the project of Phare “Pociunai Avia-tourism Centre of Prienai Nemunas River Curves Region”
2. 2005 – 2006  - participation in the project of Phare CBC Programme 2003 “The Planning of Campsite in Baltic Region Avia-tourism Network Countries”

It is already a tradition that delegation from Talsi Municipality in May visit annual celebrations in Prienai, as well as, other folklore festivals. And each summer delegations from Prienai District visit celebrations of Town of Talsi, amateur theatre festivals or Dižmāra Fair.   

Educational cooperation between Talsi, Skolkovo and Prienai Municipalities has lasted for more than 13 years, with schoolchildren participation in international learning and recreational camp MAN in Talsi Municipality.  Creative groups are continuing exchange visits to take part in different celebrations, as well as, in art exhibition openings.

www.prienai.lt