Key facts
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky launched the inaugural Carpathian 8 Summit on Friday.
- The summit aims to enhance cooperation among eight countries in the Carpathian region of central and eastern Europe.
- Key focus areas include security, energy, logistics, and cross-border economic cooperation.
- The event is taking place in western Ukraine.
- Attending leaders include those from Poland, Serbia, Romania, Czechia, Hungary, and Austria.
- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico canceled his attendance due to illness.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky launched the inaugural Carpathian 8 Summit on Friday, a new regional grouping of eight countries from the Carpathian region of central and eastern Europe. The summit, held in western Ukraine, is designed to promote trade and security cooperation.
Zelensky thanked regional allies for keeping trade and transport links open following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The new grouping includes Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Ukraine, with the European Union also participating. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and Romanian President Nicusor Dan attended the inaugural event, which is expected to last until Sunday.
"This marks the start of a movement that should bring our countries even closer together and create another strong framework for cooperation at the EU level," Zelensky said on Telegram, citing the expansion of energy and logistics cooperation, cross-border trade, and security as key areas. He added that security issues are a priority for the coming years. Close to 550 business representatives were expected to attend, with investment and trade agreements worth €1 billion ($1.15 billion) anticipated.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico canceled his attendance due to illness, according to the Ukrainian Presidential Office.