International forums kick off in Ukraine

An international forum entitled "Ukraine 603.7 Western Ukraine-European diversity" was held in Uzhhorod, Zakarpattia Oblast of Ukraine, Report informs.

The forum was initiated by the Ukraine 603.7 Inter-Factional Association of Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, namely, by Yelyzaveta Yasko, one of the co-chairs of the association. The forum was organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Swiss Embassy in Ukraine, and the Zakarpattia Regional Rada.

The number 603.7 is taken from the size of Ukraine's internationally recognized territory, including the occupied Donbas and Crimea.

The forum was attended by foreign experts and representatives of national minorities in the country. The panels discussed global, regional, and all-Ukrainian topical issues. Debates were held on the topics, such as 'the COVID-19 test,' 'Western Ukraine: energy and defense,' 'Power in diversity: information security,' 'Regional development: the economy for the people.'

MPs Yelyzaveta Yasko, Mykhailo Laba, Anatoly Kostyuk, Evgeny Akimov, Yuri Kamelchuk, Mykola Rumyantsev, Dmitry Lubinets, Chairman of the Zakarpattia Regional Rada Oleksiy Petrov, Head of the Zakarpattia Bureau of the Executive Committee for Reforms of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, Advisor to Governor of the Zakarpattia Oblast and the Speaker of the Rada Vladislav Antipin, Head of the Ukrainian State Center for Radio Frequencies Igor Luchko, Consulate General of Hungary in Uzhhorod, Director of Zakarpattyaenergozbut LLC Natalia Nemets, representatives of ethnic groups in the country, local and foreign experts joined the event.

The day-long panels also discussed separatism in eastern Ukraine and its consequences. Interesting speeches and proposals were voiced on the activities of ethnic minorities in Ukraine, infrastructure development, expanding cooperation with the regional countries, European integration, energy, and tourism.

The forum is will reportedly continue in Mariupol, Kherson, and Chernihiv oblasts of Ukraine.