Professor Volodymyr Smolanka Took Part in the First Carpathian 8 Summit
Acting Rector of Uzhhorod University, Professor Volodymyr Smolanka, took part in the Carpathian 8 Summit and the Carpathian Economic Forum, an international platform that these days brought together in the Carpathians leaders of states, representatives of European Union institutions, governments, regions, communities, business, and the academic community.
At the initiative of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine launched a new format of international cooperation, the Carpathian Integration Initiative, or the “Carpathian Eight.” It brings together Ukraine, Austria, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic around a shared vision for the development of the Carpathian macro-region.
At the invitation of the President of Ukraine, leaders and high-level representatives of the countries of the Carpathian region joined the first summit. Among them were President of Romania Nicușor Dan, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk, and representatives of other countries and European institutions. During the summit, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also held separate bilateral meetings with foreign leaders.
The initiative has a much broader goal than holding a single forum. It involves creating a permanent platform for cooperation among the countries of the Carpathian region in the areas of security, energy, transport and digital infrastructure, the economy, cross-border cooperation, as well as education, science, and innovation. Work is also envisaged on a European Union Macro-Regional Strategy for the Carpathians.
The economic part of the summit brought together almost 1,400 participants, including more than 800 representatives of governments, regions, and communities, as well as more than 500 representatives of businesses from the C8 countries.
The participation of the head of the reorganized university, Volodymyr Smolanka, in the work of such an international platform is important both for the university and for Zakarpattia.
Uzhhorod University is located in the very heart of the Carpathian region, directly on the border with the countries of the European Union. Cross-border cooperation, international academic ties, and joint research and educational projects are an important part of its development.
That is why the university has much to offer to the new format: scientific expertise, international partnerships, the training of specialists, and academic cooperation among the countries of the Carpathian macro-region.
The presence of V. Smolanka among the participants of the Carpathian 8 Summit is an opportunity to represent the potential of the university and Zakarpattia where a new architecture of cooperation in the Carpathian region is being established today at the state level.
Uzhhorod University is in the heart of the Carpathians. And it is natural that it is part of the major dialogue about their future.
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