Ostrava and Katowice Sign Memorandum, Setting Clear Framework for Metropolitan Cooperation
The signing concluded several months of work on the document and a series of meetings between representatives of the two cities. Through the Memorandum, Ostrava and Katowice confirm their shared commitment to coordinating their approach to issues that extend beyond national borders and directly affect residents, businesses and institutions throughout the region.
“I am particularly pleased about today’s signing because this is not merely a formal document drawn up behind a desk. It was preceded by substantive discussions during which we discovered that we share a very similar vision for the further development of our cooperation. We agree on our ambitions, on the areas we want to focus on, and on the fact that there is no point in wasting time. We have now jointly defined these areas and can get to work,” said Jan Dohnal, Mayor of Ostrava.
The Memorandum reflects the everyday reality of the Czech-Polish border region. Ostrava and Katowice are centres of a large area interconnected by transport, economy, industry, employment opportunities, universities, culture and the everyday movement of people. Both cities are also undergoing similar economic and social transformations associated with the decline of traditional industries, the development of new technologies, and the need to attract investment and skilled workers.
“Katowice has partnership agreements with 12 cities from different parts of the world. These partnerships involve cooperation at various levels with Groningen, Kaohsiung, Cologne, Košice, Lviv, Miskolc, Mobile, Opava, Pula, Saint-Étienne, Shenyang and Ostrava. The last of these cities is the closest to Katowice and, like our city, forms part of the historic region of Upper Silesia. It is therefore only natural that we want to deepen this cooperation by building cross-border bridges in specific areas. This is the idea behind the signing of the Memorandum on the joint development of the cross-border metropolitan area,” said Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice.
Mayor of Ostrava Jan Dohnal added: “Ostrava and Katowice have been working together for a long time. The Memorandum does not mark the beginning of our relationship; rather, it is an agreement on how we want to develop it further. We need not only representatives of the two cities to meet regularly, but also experts in transport, investment, spatial development, energy, education and culture. These are precisely the areas where concrete projects can emerge.”
The main areas of cooperation include transport, mobility and cross-border accessibility; strategic planning; economic development; the investment environment; science, research and innovation; energy and technical infrastructure; and the transformation of industrial and development areas. The cities also intend to share data and professional expertise, cooperate in culture and education, and jointly promote the potential of the entire region.
The Memorandum also sets out practical forms of cooperation. It provides for regular meetings, working and expert groups, the coordination of strategic activities, the joint preparation of projects and the exchange of information. Both Ostrava and Katowice will appoint coordinators responsible for ongoing communication and the preparation of individual activities.
The document does not establish a new administrative structure or create legally enforceable obligations. It is a joint declaration of intent by the two cities and provides a basis for long-term cooperation. It was drawn up in Czech, Polish and English, with all three language versions having equal validity. The Memorandum entered into effect upon being signed by representatives of both cities.