Despite the fact that the Carpathians as an area fulfil the criteria for macro-regional  strategies specified by the European Commission, the region is not included in any multilateral form of cooperation within the EU.

Carpathian Region is an extremely important geopolitical and economical area, in which the strategic political interests cross. However, it is also the weakest area in respect of competitiveness, which covers the poorest areas of the EU.

Carpathians require separate European program. Macro-regional strategy would
be an answer to the main needs of the Carpathians. The bottom up approach
and strong engagement for the establishment of the EU macro-regional strategy
confirms the need for the mobilization and concentration of the European Union’s
activities in the region.

The existing practices and initiatives in the Carpathian
region prove that in a short period of time we are able to achieve concrete results.