Doetinchem, Netherlands

Doetinchem, with a population of 58 000, is located on the east of Holland on the border with Germany is a pleasant destination for shopping and recreation and is the centre of the region offering its citizens an excellent range of services. The town is home to a theatre, hospital, gallery, libraries, schools and a developed industry.

After the revolution in 1989 many Dutch towns sought out cooperation with towns and cities in Central and Eastern Europe and the citizens of Doetinchem chose Pardubice. An agreement was signed by both majors in September 1992 and mutual relations since that time have blossomed. The Dutch firm, Nedcon, with its headquarters in Doetinchem built a new factory here in Pardubice.

Cooperation and the mutual exchange of experience is based on many levels: exchanges for council employees, meetings and exchanges the police, fire brigade, prison service, hospitals, asylum homes and retirement homes, business missions, and various types of cultural events. In 1998 Dutch Days were celebrated in Pardubice and Czech Days in Doetinchem. Four years later a joint event took place in Pardubice to celebrate the tenth anniversary of first signing the twin town agreement. Two notable projects were finished in the past. The first of which was Logo East I. This lead to the establishment of Front desk in the Bulgarian city of Pernik. A second project, Logo East II, focused on the electronization of services provided by city offices in Pernik region, which has come to be known as "e-government".