International cooperation, investment, and partnership building were among the key topics discussed at the Carpathian Eight International Summit, which was attended by a delegation from the Cherkasy Region, led by Ihor Taburets, Head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration.

The summit was covered on the website of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration.

“The Carpathian region naturally connects three other European macro-regions: the Baltic, Alpine, and Danube regions. It is here, in the Carpathians, that the main trade, energy, and defence routes of the eastern part of Europe converge. Furthermore, the region has direct links with southern Europe,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He emphasised that the Carpathian region is bringing Ukraine closer to the European Union.

Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy (BKNUC) was represented by its President, Oleksandr Cherevko, and students Kateryna Imamai and Vladyslava Lysachenko.

This large-scale event was held at the initiative of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The forum brought together nearly 1,400 participants from 25 countries, including all the states involved in the Carpathian Initiative. The business sector was represented by nearly 400 companies from all eight countries of the Carpathian Eight (C8).

“Security, the economy, logistics, and good-neighbourly relations are the areas where it is crucial to develop concrete joint solutions today,” said Ihor Taburets, outlining the key areas of work. “A separate part of the summit focused on the economy, including direct communication with business representatives from these countries, as well as the establishment of new international and interregional partnerships.”

As Ihor Taburets noted, the regional authorities are working systematically to create favourable conditions for investors. Four industrial parks have already been established in the Cherkasy Region, and a list of potentially promising investment projects is ready for discussion.

Ukraine has launched a new cooperation format – the Carpathian Integration Initiative. It brings together eight countries: Ukraine, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Serbia.

Oleksandr Cherevko, President of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, emphasised that participation in the summit provided the university with a significant opportunity to contribute to discussions on issues extending far beyond the economy and logistics. According to him, a key factor in improving the investment climate lies in the development of human and labour capital. Veterans – people who have lived through war and gained invaluable experience – are now among the most important resources and drivers of change across all sectors, including education. Therefore, Oleksandr Cherevko stressed, uniting the efforts of all those currently addressing the urgent challenges facing Ukrainian society is a shared responsibility that must be undertaken collectively. He expressed his gratitude to the Defence Forces of Ukraine for making such opportunities possible.

Representatives of the Cherkasy Region Youth Congress also took part in the International Carpathian Summit. Kateryna Imamai is Head of the Student Council of the Educational-Scientific Institute of International Relations, History and Philosophy as well as Secretary of the Cherkasy Youth Congress and Head of the Press Sector of the Youth Council under the Cherkasy City Council.

“Carpathian Eight Summit 2026 allowed me to learn more about our country’s economic and political structure,” she said. “Together with the Cherkasy Region Youth Congress team, we had the chance to interact with representatives of various regions of Ukraine and international partners.

“My personal impressions are simply fantastic! I particularly valued the opportunity to communicate with the President of Ukraine, the Prime Minister, and government ministers. It helped me to gain a better understanding of economic processes, international cooperation, and our country’s development experience.

“It was an incredible experience, with new connections and a wealth of knowledge that will certainly prove useful in the future.”

Vladyslava Lysachenko, a first-year student in Secondary Education (English Language and Literature, Foreign Literature and English Language) at BKNUC, also participated in the Carpathian Integration Initiative.

For Vladyslava, this was her first experience of participating in an international event of this scale. The opportunity to communicate directly with representatives of various countries and to exchange experiences and perspectives was particularly valuable.

“Interacting with representatives from the eight countries was an extremely valuable experience for me. It was an opportunity to gain a better understanding of international cooperation, discover new perspectives, and learn how to foster dialogue,” Vladyslava said.

Press Office of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy