An expert round table devoted to the development of TEN‑T transport corridors in the Slovak–Ukrainian border region was held at the premises of IDS Východ in Košice. The meeting brought together spatial planning, transport infrastructure and strategic planning documents of two neighbouring countries – Slovakia and Ukraine – at a time when the coordination of transport development is more important than ever.
The main objective of the meeting was to align the requirements of the Spatial Plans of the Košice and Prešov Self‑Governing Regions with the forthcoming amendments to the Spatial Plan of the Zakarpattia Region. The discussion focused primarily on how existing and planned transport corridors, border infrastructure and logistics flows towards the European Union should be reflected in Ukrainian planning documents.
A key outcome of the event was the presentation by the state design institute “Dipromisto” from Kyiv, which introduced its concept for incorporating Slovak baseline data into the planned changes to the Spatial Plan of the Zakarpattia Region. This expert work creates a solid foundation for better alignment of strategic documents on both sides of the border – not only formally, but also in terms of content and functionality.
The Slovak side contributed with an overview of the spatial planning requirements of eastern Slovakia, complemented by the broader European context of documents shaping the TEN‑T network and its extension towards Ukraine. As a result, the discussion went beyond lines on a map and addressed real transport links, future investments and the role of the cross‑border region within the European transport system.
An important international dimension was also added by the presentation of the TENCONNECT project, which focuses on innovative approaches to strengthening the intra‑regional benefits of TEN‑T corridors. It highlighted that transport corridors are not merely transit routes, but opportunities for the development of regions, cities and border areas.
The round table confirmed that effective coordination between spatial planning and transport begins with expert dialogue. Such dialogue is essential to ensure that strategic intentions are translated into plans that make sense not only on paper, but also in the territory itself.
The event also included presentations of other ongoing projects related to the update of the Spatial Plan of the Zakarpattia Region, such as the Carpathian Small Aviation project.
