On the 12th of June 2025, at the Episcopal Palace in Sighetu Marmației, two Romanian development regions, North-West and North-East, have joined forces in support of Ukraine’s reconstruction and the accelerated development of their own infrastructure and economies.
14 public institutions, including all 12 county councils in the participating regions and the two regional development agencies (North-West RDA and North-East RDA), officially signed the Cooperation Protocol for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. The event brought together signatories and high-level representatives from the Government of Romania, the European Parliament, the European Commission, the World Bank, Ukrainian authorities, diplomatic missions, as well as religious and local leaders.
The protocol establishes a cross-border cooperation framework with tangible and balanced benefits for both Romania and Ukraine. Key focus areas include:
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Modernising road and rail infrastructure on both sides of the Tisa River to enhance cross-border connectivity;
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Direct involvement of Romanian SMEs in delivering materials, services, and expertise for reconstruction projects in Ukraine;
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Attracting international investment into Romanian counties by developing logistics centres, offices, and industrial parks;
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Financing all initiatives through EU instruments dedicated to cooperation and reconstruction, without impacting local budgets.
Signatory institutions:
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The County Councils of: Maramureș, Bihor, Bistrița-Năsăud, Cluj, Satu Mare, Sălaj, Bacău, Botoșani, Iași, Neamț, Suceava, and Vaslui
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North-West Regional Development Agency
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North-East Regional Development Agency
The event was hosted and moderated by Gabriel Zetea, President of the Maramureș County Council. Key speakers included:
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Vasile Moldovan – Mayor of Sighetu Marmației
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Marcel Ioan Boloș – Minister of Investments and European Projects
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Victor Negrescu – Vice-President of the European Parliament
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Mykhailo Laba – Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
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Yasser El-Gamal – Country Manager for Romania and Hungary, World Bank
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Vasile Asandei – Director General, North-East RDA
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Csilla Hegedüs – Interim Director General, North-West RDA
All speakers emphasized the strategic and operational nature of the protocol and the need for strong regional coordination in a complex geopolitical and economic environment.
The protocol enjoys broad institutional support from:
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The European Parliament
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The European Commission
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The Government of Romania
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Ukrainian national authorities and senior diplomats
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The World Bank
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The European Investment Bank
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The Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, of which Romania is an active member
Concrete benefits for Romania include:
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Improved infrastructure and faster cross-border connections
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New jobs created through SME involvement
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Increased investment in border counties
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Economic growth across participating regions
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A strengthened strategic position in the regional reconstruction framework
We extend our sincere thanks to all those who supported this initiative through their presence, expertise, and institutional backing. The diversity of perspectives gives the protocol operational strength and credibility, providing a solid foundation for long-term implementation.
This is not just a symbolic gesture, but the beginning of a durable, results-oriented effort grounded in solidarity and shared responsibility.
