„We came for this study trip to learn the experience of cross-border cooperation” – Mr. Oleksandr Moruz, representative of the Dniester/Nistru Euroregion in Brussels stated during the farewell dinner of the study trip. Mr. Moruz was the member of a 17 participants-delegation from the Dniester/Nistru Euroregion and Transnistria visiting the Carpathian Euroregion – mainly Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania – in the framework of the „Capacity Building of the Dniester/Nistru Euroregion” project, supported by the International Visegrad Fund.

After various workshops held in Moldova and Ukraine in the past months in cooperation with the Institute for Stability and Development, the study trip was organized in the Carpathian Euroregion to introduce the participants to cross-border cooperation among other countries. The delegation was expanded by representatives of the Coordination Centre and the Council of the Dniester/Nistru Euroregion, along with Mr. Victor Sau, Vice-Head of the Council and Head of Soroca District in Moldova and the Deputy Heads of Ribnita and Camenca District.

The launch of the program on April 16 was a seminar introducing the most important cross-border cooperation projects at the Ukraine-Hungarian border. Maj. József Gáll, Commander of the Hungarian Border Services gave a lecture on the activities of the border guard services “before and after Schengen”. Sharing the Hungarian experience has been particularly useful for Ukraine and Moldova which are not yet the part of the Schengen Area.

Infrastructure development is in the main focus of the activities of the Dniester/Nistru Euroregion and was the main topic of the program. In their lectures, Head of the Institute for Transborder Cooperation Amb. Serhiy Ustich, Head of Department of the Hungarian Transport Administration Mr. Béla Felméri, and Director of the Kelet-Transz Ltd. Mr. László Soltész highlighted the importance of this type of cross-border activities, particularly in the economic development.

The second and the third day of the study trip aimed at presenting model urban development programs. The delegation was received by the Deputy Mayor of the town of Fényeslitke Dr. Erzsébet Drimbáné Karakó, Mayor of the town of Kisvárda Mr. Tibor Leleszi, and Mr. József Balogh, Mayor of the town of Királyhelmec (Kráľovský Chlmec, Slovakia).

Since touristic programs based on cross-border cooperation play an important role in the functioning of Euroregions, the participants were acquainted with local examples. Chair of the BodrogTour Association Ms. Tímea Füzesséry talked about the organization’s activities in Slovakia and Hungary, while Ms. Zsuzsa Nagy introduced the recently established Touristic Information Centre in the town of Nagykapos (Veľké Kapušany, Slovakia).

As a project of particular interest for the Dniester/Nistru Euroregion, the participants visited the new bridge under construction over the Tisza River in the town of Vásárosnamény. Besides guiding the delegation, Mr. Károly Uray, Head of Department of the FETIZIVIG (Upper-Tisza Region Environment and Water Directorate), gave a lecture on the region’s water system development projects.

The participants also visited the town of Szatmárnémeti (Satu Mare, Romania) where Ms. Erzsébet Békéssy, Head of the Environmental-Protecting Office of Szatmár County presented the environmental cross-border projects between Romania and Hungary. The delegation was also received by Chair of the County Council Mr. Adrian Stef and Mr. Eugeniu Avram, Prefect of the County.

The fifth day of the program concentrated on the introduction of the Carpathian Euroregion in a broader aspect. Mr. Oszkár Seszták, President of the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Assembly received the delegation in the town of Nyíregyháza, while the International Coordinator of the institution Mrs. Brigitta Majorné László gave a lecture on the history, activities and prospects of the Carpathian Euroregion. The group then summarized the lessons learned during the past days at a discussion in the town of Sárospatak.

At the closing dinner on April 20, the participants had a lively discussion with Mr. Loránd Szakáli, Head of Department at the Ministry of National Economy of Hungary. During the meeting, Mr. Victor Sau, Vice-Head of the Dniester/Nistru Euroregion highlighted the importance of the first session of the Economic Committee between Moldova and Hungary, to be held in Budapest in April.

The project continues with further workshops with the aim to develop the strategy of the Dniester/Nistru Euroregion.