Lviv and the Croatian city of Pula (Pola) signed an agreement on cooperation between the cities. The document was signed by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi and Filip Zoričić, Mayor of Pula.
“We are friends, and now we will continue our cooperation. We saw your UNBROKEN Rehabilitation Centre, attended the ceremony and paid our respect to the fallen soldier. It is very symbolic and emotional for us. We remember similar events in our history, so we are glad that we can help you. And thank you for making us feel welcome as friends. That is why the main message today is friendship, friendship between Pula and Lviv,” said Filip Zoričić.
According to the Mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovyi, the signing of the cooperation agreement between Lviv and Pula is a historic event, as it is taking place on the day that the President of Ukraine declared as Europe Day.
“Croatia was the last country to join the European Union, 10 years ago. Today, Ukraine is a candidate for EU membership. I believe that our cooperation with Pula will give us new opportunities for Ukraine to become the next member of the EU. And the experience gained by Croatia and Croatian cities is unique for us. This is the experience in socialisation, rehabilitation and work with veterans. So today we are building a beautiful bridge of cooperation and friendship,” said Andriy Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv.
Anica Djamic, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Croatia in Ukraine, was present at the signing of the agreement and emphasised her firm belief that Ukraine would achieve its membership in the European Union.
“The European community started a long time ago as a peace project. But after 30-40 years, we forgot about it. However, now we are going back to our roots, and the European Union has a different meaning for me today,” added the Croatian Ambassador.
Pula became the 21st sister city of Lviv The partner cities also include Banja Luka, Budapest, Vilnius, Winnipeg, Wrocław, Kraków, Kutaisi, Łódź, Lublin, Przemyśl, Plovdiv, Rishon LeZion, Rochdale, Rzeszów, Tbilisi, Freiburg, Chengdu, Cannes, Würzburg and Aarhus.
Over the centuries, the city of Pula (Pola) was ruled by various empires, including the Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian. Today, the city’s historical heritage comes through its many landmarks and monuments, including the well-preserved Roman amphitheatre.
Archduke Wilhelm Franz of Austria from the Habsburg dynasty, politician, diplomat, poet, Colonel of the Legion of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen, Wilhelm Franz Joseph Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, also known as Vasyl Vyshyvanyi — the name given to him by Ukrainian soldiers during the First World War — was born in Pula. He was considered one of the unofficial contenders for the Ukrainian throne should a monarchy be established.
Pula is a member of the European network of cities with Roman heritage, Euromed Heritage. This network promotes cooperation between Roman cities in Europe, as well as the study and preservation of the cultural heritage of the Roman period.
Tourism is one of the main sources of income for Pula. The city attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to its rich history, architectural monuments and cultural heritage. The most popular sights are the arena built in the 1st century AD, the Roman Temple of Augustus, Castle Kaštel, as well as beaches, parks and other tourist areas.
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