The first summit of the Carpathian Eight, where we launched the Carpathian Integration Initiative.

May the EU’s Carpathian macro-region remain strong. And may this format support us on our path to joining the European Union. I thank all the leaders of the C8 countries, businesses, and representatives of our Carpathian communities for their strong presence and for the promising projects and agreements. The potential is measured in billions of euros and mutual growth. It is important that we turn this potential into reality.

We will certainly bring in additional resources and opportunities to support cross-border cooperation between communities. And the Carpathians have their own specifics here: mountain communities, and therefore mountain roads, and their own social and environmental challenges. Many of these issues can only be solved together with neighbors, and I very much expect our cooperation with neighbors to continue growing.