Opening Conference of the OTRACON SK–UA Project in Uzhhorod
The OTRACON SK–UA project (Optimal Transport Connections via Border Harmonized by Transport Models SK–UA), implemented within the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme, was launched with an opening conference held in Uzhhorod. The event brought together project partners from Slovakia and Ukraine, transport experts, and representatives of the involved institutions.
The main objective of the conference was to present the key aims of the project and its expected outputs, while above all creating space for open professional discussion on the future shape of cross-border mobility in the region. IDS Východ, s.r.o. actively participated in discussions focused on the current situation and challenges related to mobility in the region, as well as on the overall direction of the project, the framework for cooperation, and the distribution of expert roles among the partners.
Particular attention was paid to changes in traffic flows and increased mobility, which in recent years have also been influenced by the partially unpredictable development of the war in Ukraine. This includes the growth of the population in the Zakarpattia region, which has a direct impact on transport infrastructure, the capacity of border crossings, and the need for up-to-date analytical inputs. These factors underline the importance of the OTRACON SK–UA project as a tool for better understanding dynamic territorial changes and for preparing flexible, data-driven solutions.
An important part of the conference was also the alignment of expectations regarding transport modelling, data collection, and the preparation of analytical background materials for cross-border transport solutions. The initial meeting created a solid foundation for further cooperation and confirmed the shared interest of all partners in delivering practical and applicable solutions for the development of transport infrastructure in the Slovak–Ukrainian border area.
The opening conference was therefore not only a formal start of the project, but above all the first step towards systematic and long-term cooperation, which in the coming months will be translated into concrete professional activities and tangible outputs.
