New opportunities for the development of the region

"Promotion of Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine on the example of Transcarpathia" – under this slogan, today, March 22, a big international conference organized by the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation TISA (EGTC TISA) with the financial support of the Hungarian Fund "Pallas Athéné Domus Educationis" took place in the city of Kisvárda (Hungary). This was reported by the press service of the Transcarpathian Regional Council.

The purpose of the meeting was to present opportunities and concrete proposals for the development of the region based on European values, support for cooperation in the modern administrative, economic and cultural fields, based on the historical and economic situation.

The agenda of the conference included topics such as the EU Neighborhood Policy, the support of Ukraine and Transcarpathia by the Government of Hungary, the objectives and activities of the European Grouping TISA, cross-border and regional cooperation, exchange of experience and the role of knowledge transfer, familiarization with cross-border and direct Brussels sources of financial support.

The Ukrainian party was represented by the chairman of the Transcarpathian Regional Council Mykhailo Rivis, the first deputy chairman of the Transcarpathian Regional Council, deputy chairman of the Society of Hungarian Culture of Transcarpathia Yosyp Borto, the deputy head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration Volodymyr Kolesnikov, deputy of the Transcarpathian Regional Council, the rector of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute named after Ferenc Rakoczi II Ildika Oros, Beregovo City Mayor Zoltan Babiak, the head of the Beregovo District State Administration Istvan Petrushka and chairman of the Beregovo District Council Jozefa Shin.

During their speeches Hungarian high officials emphasized that today’s event should become a comfortable platform for dialogue with the aim of implementing the EU’s international measures, projects, opportunities and instruments. Such that are designed to promote European approaches to addressing current problems through regional governance.

– Hungarians will help bring Ukraine closer to the European Union by sincerely sharing European experience. After all, we managed to successfully implement a number of projects over a few years. Thanks to constructive dialogue and joint grant projects, we will be able to help Transcarpathia solve the most pressing problems, including Solotvyno salt mine, solid household waste, preservation of the historical and cultural heritage, economic development and introduction of the latest technologies in various spheres," – the Minister of National Development of Hungary Miklos Sesztak said.

Andrea Bocskor, Member of the European Parliament, told the conference participants about the significant EU’s assistance to Ukraine, which is now on the path to European integration processes. The amount of funds is impressive – 1 billion 100 million euros!

In his speech, the Chairman of the Transcarpathian Regional Council Mykhailo Rivis said: "The close proximity to Europe is a God-given chance to create a decent, civilized life on our land. Moreover, this is facilitated by close historical, economic and ethnic ties with our neighbors, first of all Hungary. They were given to us as an inheritance from our ancestors. And we preserve and develop them zealously, expanding friendly relations at the level of communities and regions, sharing ideas, views, values ​​and experiences."

– Today, we discussed our cooperation, investment and cultural opportunities, introduced the audience to the resources and potential, historical and cultural heritage of the two regions, and secured the support of our Hungarian partners for further successful cooperation in general, – Yudita Yevchak, the deputy director of the EGTC TISA, adding: – With great pleasure, we note that with the support of our Hungarian partners – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, the General Assembly of the Szabolcs-Satmar-Bereg region, the European Grouping TISA managed to prepare and submit to the EU a number of important projects, the results of which will be known in the near future.