On 14 February 2012 Mayor of Kharkiv Gennadiy Kernes and Mayor of Maribor Franc Kangler signed in Kharkiv Protocol of intentions to establish partnership relations between Kharkiv and Maribor.
According to the Protocol, the parties agreed to conclude an Agreement on partnership relations, facilitate the exchange of delegations, participation of representativesof both cities in economic, social, cultural, educational and other activities to be held in Kharkiv and Maribor. The Protocol also created a basis for cooperation between universities in both cities.