Zelensky launches ‘Carpathian Eight’ in Uzhhorod — Vučić, Tusk and Dan at the founding summit; deals worth 1 billion euros expected

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky launched on Friday in western Ukraine a new regional grouping of eight countries from the Carpathian region, at a summit aimed at boosting trade, energy and security cooperation. The new initiative, dubbed the “Carpathian Eight,” brings together Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Austria, Hungary and the European Union.

The founding event was attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Romanian President Nicușor Dan. Zelensky thanked regional allies for keeping trade and transport links open after Russia’s 2022 aggression, and said investment and trade deals worth 1 billion euros ($1.15 billion) are expected to be signed, with around 550 business representatives in attendance. “This marks the beginning of a movement that should bring our countries even closer,” Zelensky said.

Vučić, invited to the summit by Zelensky himself, said Serbia’s participation is important for economic, transport and infrastructure connectivity with the region’s countries, mentioning the planned Vršac–Timișoara highway with Romania and the Belgrade–Budapest railway line. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was unable to attend for health reasons, Vučić announced.

Belgrade’s participation in this format comes at a time when Serbia is preparing for snap parliamentary elections on October 25 and balancing its relations with the European Union and Moscow. The summit is expected to last until Sunday, according to organizers.

Source: Reuters