A memorandum of cooperation was signed on September 11, 2018. The partnership aims at sharing expertise in developing culture, education, tourism and sports. Municipal authorities plan to maintain academic, social, cultural, business and economic ties by organizing official visits, working group meetings, joint events and exhibitions.

The memorandum was signed by Miroslav Křišťál, Mayor of Dukovany, and Maxim Pukhov, Head of Polyarnye Zori. “Our communities face similar problems, so we are building partnerships and sharing experiences for mutual benefit,” Miroslav Křišťál said.

“One of our primary tasks is to share experiences of living near nuclear power facilities,” Maxim Pukhov said. “There is an association of nuclear host communities in Russia; a similar association operates in the Czech Republic. We would like to engage the two associations to take part in the cooperation and knowledge exchange process.”

For reference

Polyarnye Zori is a town in the Murmansk Region, Russia, home to the Kola Nuclear Power Plant (four VVER-440 reactor units). The nuclear plant generates nearly 60% of electric power in the Murmansk Region.

Dukovany is a town in the Czech Republic hosting the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant (four VVER-440 reactor units). This is the oldest facility out of two nuclear power plants operating in the country. It was built by Soviet engineers in 1985–1987. The plant accounts for one fifth of electricity generated in the Czech Republic.