Carpathian integration initiative to bring together over 500 business reps from various countries – Zelenskyy

The first economic summit of the Carpathian Integration Initiative (CII) is set to take place this September, featuring over 500 business representatives from various countries, according to the Ukrainian presidential website. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed pride in the initiative, which brings together countries hosting the Carpathian Mountains, during a time of war.

The summit aims to address economy, security, the environment, and investment, with plans to invite guests from the Middle East to discuss investment opportunities. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of involving local communities, as they can provide valuable insights into the region's challenges and attract business. The summit is expected to include signing of agreements, investment arrangements, and exchanging experiences in security, energy protection, and food security.

Zelenskyy met with representatives from Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Chernivtsi, and Zakarpattia regions to discuss urgent issues. The Carpathian Initiative, uniting 44 regions from eight countries, aims to strengthen ties and boost community capacity. The initiative, modeled after the Danube and Alpine Initiatives, has gained support from European institutions and is expected to hold a summit of cities and regions in Truskavets, Lviv region, this fall.

The EU Committee of the Regions included a section on promoting Carpathian region integration in its 2025 support package for Ukraine.