Bolesławiec and its partner cities firmly condemn Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against free Ukraine, which is at odds with all international agreements and norms and undermines the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The signatories addressed particular words of support to the residents of Zbarazh, Bolesławiec’s partner city. The women and men of Zbarazh, citizens of Ukraine, have the right to build their future on fundamental values such as independence, sovereignty, security and democracy. The idea of cooperation between partner cities is based precisely on these values.

The signatories from the six cities assure them that these cities will provide a safe refuge during this exceptionally difficult time. The Declaration also expresses thanks to the residents of the signatory cities for the support shown to their partners from Ukraine since the first days of the war, and appeals for aid to continue jointly after the end of hostilities, including support for Ukraine in its efforts to strengthen democracy and further its economic and social development.

The signatories are representatives of the local authorities of the partner cities of Bolesławiec (Poland), Nogent-sur-Marne (France), Siegburg (Germany), Pirna (Germany), Vallecorsa (Italy) and Acuto (Italy).

On 20 August 2022, the “Declaration of Solidarity” was signed, in the presence of Zbarazh Mayor Roman Polikrovsky, by: Piotr Roman – Mayor of Bolesławiec, Bernard Rasquin – Deputy Mayor of Nogent-sur-Marne, Stefan Rosemann – Mayor of Siegburg, Klaus Peter Hanke – Mayor of Pirna, Massimo Ferracci – councillor of the Vallecorsa Municipal Council, Matteo Franceschetti – councillor of the Acuto Municipal Council.

Full text of the “Declaration of Solidarity”:

Preamble

The local authorities and partner cities, signatories to this Declaration –

  • having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on 10 December 1948 by the General Assembly of the United Nations;
  • having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted on 16 December 1966 by the UN General Assembly;
  • having regard to the European Charter of Local Self-government, adopted on 15 October 1985 in Strasbourg by the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe of the Council of Europe;
  • having regard to Resolution No. XXVI/279/2016 of the Bolesławiec City Council of 20 July 2016 concerning the cooperation agreement between the Municipality of Bolesławiec and the City of Zbarazh in Ukraine;
  • having regard to the fact that these documents seek to ensure the universal and effective application of the rights set forth therein, to guarantee security and peaceful existence for the international community, to achieve greater unity among its members, and that the protection and development of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the right of nations to self-determination, guarantee the achievement of this objective;
  • guided by their profound faith in fundamental freedoms, which are the foundation of justice and peace in the world and whose preservation is based primarily, on the one hand, on a genuinely democratic political system and, on the other, on a common understanding and shared respect for the human rights to which they refer;
  • recognising the solidarity that unites the members of the community of civilised nations;
  • mindful of the tragic experiences of the two world wars of the 20th century, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022;
  • determined by an unshakable will to cooperate in the pursuit of universal peace;
  • recognising that local communities constitute one of the essential foundations of every democratic state, and also that cooperation at the local-government level contributes to building a Europe founded on the principles of democracy and solidarity among nations,

have resolved as follows:

Declaration of Solidarity

We declare our full support for the Ukrainian people, who are defending their country in accordance with the principles of respect for international law, freedom and democratic values.
We firmly condemn Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against free Ukraine, which is at odds with all international agreements and norms and undermines the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We mourn the deaths of many civilians caused by this attack and the hostilities, and express our deep concern for the safety and future of the people of Ukraine.

We address particular words of support to the residents of Zbarazh, Bolesławiec’s partner city. The women and men of Zbarazh, citizens of Ukraine, have the right to build their future on fundamental values such as independence, sovereignty, security and democracy. The idea of cooperation between partner cities is based precisely on these values.

We assure them that our cities will provide a safe refuge during this exceptionally difficult time. We thank the residents of our cities for the support shown to our partners from Ukraine since the first days of the war. We appeal for aid to continue jointly after the end of hostilities. Let us support Ukraine in its efforts to strengthen democracy and further its economic and social development.

We express the hope that the time will come when together we can carry out many projects concerning cooperation between the communities of our cities.

We believe that the future of all Europeans can rest only on democracy and the rule of law as the pillars of peace and prosperity.

We convey to our friends and partners in Ukraine words of solidarity and friendship, together with a declaration of far-reaching assistance.

In the name of freedom and peace!