CHERNIVTSI, UKRAINE TRAVEL REPORT
This trip was attended by Uğur Semih Akdemir, the Consul General of Ukraine in Izmir and the Regional Responsible Advisor, Ramazan Karakundakoğu, the President of the Inter-Country Friendship Association, Filiz Kar, the General Manager of Naitainer Logistics Foreign Trade Co Ltd, and Ayhan Kara, the Foreign Trade Specialist, along with interpreter Kateryna Nazarenko.
Due to the war, Ukrainian airspace was closed to transportation, so we used the Romanian air route. We departed on March 15th, passing through Izmir, Istanbul, Bucharest, and Suceava cities by air. On March 16th, 2023, we were welcomed by Tatyana Dutkevich, the President of the Ukraine Chernivtsi Bukovina Entrepreneurs Club, at Suceava Airport in Romania. Mrs. Tatyana is a businesswoman who is close to the management and leads the most active group of entrepreneurs. We crossed into Ukraine from Romania through land borders using private vehicles.
When we arrived in Chernivtsi, it was around 2 a.m. in the morning. A curfew was in place after 11 p.m., and there was a ban on going out after midnight. We checked into our hotel.
Chernivtsi is a city in Western Ukraine, near the Romanian border, in the upper parts of the Prut River. It is the administrative center of Chernivtsi Oblast. According to the 2015 census, its population is 266,366. Due to the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the population has increased to over one million.
The city has a rich historical past and was part of Galicia-Volhynia in the 12th century. After being occupied by Moldova, Chernivtsi was successively ruled by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire. For 300 years, it remained a poor and unremarkable region in Europe. Chernivtsi’s fortunes changed when the city became part of the Bukovina region annexed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the late 18th century. Becoming one of the richest and most beautiful cities in Europe, Chernivtsi’s unique architectural texture in the old city area was created during the Austrian period. Miraculously, the city survived both World Wars and impresses with its magnificent structures designed by talented Viennese architects. Chernivtsi, built at the same time as Vienna, the capital of Austria, is also known as “Little Vienna” due to its similar architectural structures. With its streets, squares, historic buildings, churches, and lush greenery reminiscent of European cities, Chernivtsi is worth visiting. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
First Day
When we woke up in the morning, we walked from our hotel to the municipal building.
At the municipal building, we were greeted by the Deputy Mayors. Along with them and the public, we participated in a minute of silence at 9:00 AM to honor the martyrs who lost their lives in the war. This observance is repeated every morning at 9:00 AM.
At 9:15 AM, we went to the municipal building.
At the Municipal Palace, built in the late classical style in the mid-19th century, we were welcomed by the Deputy Mayors. They informed us that the Mayor had other duties in another location due to a recent air attack, but he would attend the meetings the following day. We presented the Deputy Mayors with a goodwill letter sent from the Mayor of Izmir, expressing the intention to establish a sister city relationship between Izmir and Chernivtsi. We exchanged gifts with them as well.
It was emphasized that the sisterhood between the two cities would contribute significantly to trade, culture, art, and sports. Afterwards, we toured the municipal building, including the council chamber.
The municipality had organized a special program to introduce us to the city. After leaving the municipal building, we went to Chernivtsi National University, located within the city. The university was established in the 19th century under the order of Emperor Franz I of Austria to build a larger structure where Bukovinian priests could stay. The building, showcasing influences of Romanticism and Byzantine styles, is surrounded by a spacious park and consists of three buildings protected by large gates.
The architecture of the university was extremely impressive. The meeting halls, classrooms, and the church had a unique architectural design.
After the university tour, we visited an area where production factories relocated from other regions of Ukraine due to the war. We visited factories that produced yarn, wood products, and heaters. It was interesting to see that the wood factory employed individuals with hearing impairments. They were specifically chosen to work there to avoid being affected by loud noises. They presented us with products that were manufactured by these hearing-impaired individuals as a gift.
The company that specialized in heaters specifically requested support from us in marketing their products.
After the factory visits, we attended a special meal arranged by the Municipality.
At the historical restaurant, local Ukrainian dishes were served to us.
Afterwards, we attended a mutual meeting with businessmen at the Chernivtsi Chamber of Commerce. The attending businessmen expressed their interest in purchasing various products. They mentioned that they preferred Turkish products for their quality and competitive prices. They were particularly interested in electrical products, construction materials, textile products, and wanted to establish contacts with the manufacturers. They also had requests for support regarding transportation issues for the products they purchase. We assured them that we would relay their requests to Turkish manufacturers. It was decided to establish a digital business platform to facilitate mutual trade.
After the meal, we visited the facilities of Ciabatta, a company that produces coffee and baked goods. They took us on a tour of their production facilities and presented their products to us. The visiting team was given gifts of their products.
On the second day, at 10 AM, we went to the Governor’s Office for a meeting. The meeting was attended by Governor Ruslan Zaparanyuk, Mayor Roman Klichuk, and Deputy Governors Alona Atamanyuk, Mykola Romanyshyn, and Mykola Huıtor.
The meeting addressed the collaboration between Turkey and Ukraine, expressing openness to any support for the development of this partnership, as stated by both representatives. It was decided to prioritize the enhancement of existing collaboration in trade, culture, sports, and arts.
Efforts were agreed upon to establish necessary mutual contacts for Turkish producers to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs. It was decided to organize a business forum meeting among businessmen as soon as possible.
The potential for mutual tourism development was discussed in light of the end of the war. To achieve this, the establishment of a direct air bridge and the arrangement of flights between Izmir and Chernivtsi were requested.
An initiative was taken to establish a preliminary examination and communication structure for the establishment of a prosthetics manufacturing factory by Turkish businessmen, specifically aimed at serving soldiers and civilians who have lost limbs in the war.
The need to address the infrastructure of customs, which is the biggest obstacle to increasing mutual trade, was identified. Currently, there are over 4,000 trucks waiting at the border due to inadequate infrastructure. It was agreed to make efforts, both in Ukraine and Romania, to renew and expand the necessary infrastructure to increase the daily vehicle crossing capacity, which is currently around 800. We expressed our readiness to provide any support for logistics services.
At the end of the meeting, as the Turkish delegation, we presented our gifts. The Ukrainian authorities also gave us their gifts in return.
After the Governor’s meeting, we visited the Prosthetic Application Hospital to observe the necessary infrastructure for prosthetic production. The authorities explained their work and ongoing projects to us.
After the hospital visit, we went to the patient rehabilitation center. The rehabilitation center is located in a forested area of Ukraine’s mountainous region, known for its mineral natural springs. It was recognized that with mutual cooperation, this region has potential for tourism development.
We attended a meal at the facilities in this region, provided by the Governor’s Office. They introduced us to the traditional dishes of Ukrainian cuisine, highlighting the culinary culture of Ukraine.
The following information was shared with us by Tatyana Dutkevich, the President of the Chernivtsi Bukovina Entrepreneurs Club, after our visit:
- They will prepare a detailed report regarding the needs for prosthetics and rehabilitation and send it to us.
- Preparations are underway for preliminary work to facilitate mutual business meetings among entrepreneurs.
- They have started working on a digital platform and website to facilitate communication among business people.
- Information is being prepared for potential football matches between the two cities. Although men are restricted from traveling abroad, football players are allowed to do so.
- Information will be provided about a theater group that can perform in Izmir.
- Necessary preparations are being made for cooperation between the medical universities of both cities.
- Representatives from Izmir, who were part of the delegation, have started and continued the following initiatives on behalf of the city:
- The Inter-Country Friendship Association has started infrastructure work to enhance trade among business people.
- The urgent requests of the businessmen have been communicated to businessmen in Izmir.
- Contact has been made with Izmir football clubs for potential sports activities.
- Ms. Filiz Kar arranged a video demonstrating the making of baklava and simit for a business person interested in learning, and it was sent to the relevant individual.
- Ms. Filiz Kar conveyed her suggestions and opinions to Chernivtsi authorities regarding the preparation of necessary infrastructure to resolve transportation issues.
Conclusion:
This visit aimed at establishing a sister city relationship between Izmir and Chernivtsi has been highly productive. The Izmir delegation that participated in the trip continues their necessary contacts and efforts after the journey. Turkish producers have been informed of the requests, and offers have been sought for the establishment of a digital trade platform. Planning is underway for mutual business meetings between Turkish and Ukrainian businessmen. Discussions have begun for sports activities between clubs. There is a desire for collaboration between the medical universities. Planning efforts have started for a Ukrainian theater group to perform in Izmir. The timely completion of the Sister City protocol procedures will bring significant benefits to both cities and countries.
Inter-Country Friendship Association Chairman of the Board Ramazan Karakundakoğlu
Bukovina Entrepreneurs Club