Chernivtsi expands economic cooperation with Romania | Agreements with Neamț and Vrancea counties. What investments are being targeted

Chernivtsi Expands Regional Cooperation with Neamț and Vrancea Counties

The Head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, Ruslan Osypenko, paid a working visit to Romania together with the Consul General of Romania in Chernivtsi, Irina-Loredana Stănculescu. The discussions held in Neamț and Vrancea counties focused on developing institutional partnerships, preparing cooperation agreements and identifying new opportunities for regional development.

Chernivtsi and Neamț Prepare a Cooperation Agreement

The Ukrainian delegation’s first meeting was held with the President of the Neamț County Council, Daniel-Vasilică Harpa, and representatives of the county administration.

The discussions addressed areas with potential for joint projects, including cross-border infrastructure, investment, the economy, tourism, healthcare, education, culture and logistics.

Ruslan Osypenko proposed launching the procedures for a partnership agreement between the Chernivtsi region and Neamț County. The proposal was welcomed by the Neamț administration, and the two sides agreed to begin the necessary procedures.

According to the head of the regional administration, once the agreement is concluded, Chernivtsi would become the first region in Ukraine with which Neamț County has a cooperation agreement.

Neamț Invited to Join the Carpathian Integration Initiative

During the meeting, Ruslan Osypenko also presented the Carpathian Integration Initiative, inviting Neamț County to join the project aimed at developing the Carpathian macro-region.

Daniel-Vasilică Harpa expressed his support for the initiative and accepted the invitation to participate in a thematic forum scheduled for September in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, organized at the initiative of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Neamț’s European Experience as a Model for Chernivtsi

Another important topic of the discussions was Neamț County’s experience in European integration and regional project development.

The President of the Neamț County Council presented the work of the interregional development agency, which supports local administrations in training specialists and developing and implementing international projects.

Ruslan Osypenko emphasized that this experience could serve as a model for reorganizing the Chernivtsi Regional Development Agency, enabling the institution to become a more effective instrument for attracting investment and international funding.

Chernivtsi and Vrancea Prepare a New Partnership

The Ukrainian delegation’s visit continued in Focșani, where Ruslan Osypenko and Irina-Loredana Stănculescu met with the President of the Vrancea County Council, Nicușor Halici.

Following the discussions, the Vrancea administration expressed its support for concluding a cooperation agreement between Vrancea County and the Chernivtsi region. According to Ruslan Osypenko, the two sides intend to sign the document within the following month.

Vrancea Interested in Carpathian Projects

Nicușor Halici also expressed interest in the Carpathian Integration Initiative and accepted the invitation to participate in the forum scheduled to take place in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

According to Ruslan Osypenko, transforming the initiative into a European cooperation structure could contribute to the development of mountain communities and the implementation of large-scale projects in the participating regions.

Investment Opportunities between Chernivtsi and Vrancea

During the meeting in Focșani, the investment profile of the Chernivtsi region was also presented, including sectors with potential for attracting investors from Vrancea County.

Representatives of the Vrancea administration were invited to visit the Chernivtsi region, including as part of visits alongside potential investors, in order to identify concrete opportunities for economic cooperation.

Cross-Border Cooperation as a Strategic Direction

The visit to Romania highlights the Chernivtsi regional administration’s interest in strengthening cross-border cooperation, attracting investment and developing joint projects with local administrations in Romania.

Ruslan Osypenko thanked the presidents of the Neamț and Vrancea County Councils for their openness to future partnerships and expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Consul General of Romania in Chernivtsi, Irina-Loredana Stănculescu, throughout the visit.