Regional cooperation as a tool for strengthening slovak-ukrainian relations: practical experience and development prospects

Abstract

The basis of this study is the concept of the transformation of modern official, economic, and public diplomacy, offering a new interpretation of the conceptual foundations of the development of diplomacy in historical, practical, and research contexts. The authors analyze several publications and conclude that this development is based on a shift in the paradigm and in the relationship between the official and private (business) components of diplomatic activity. The article emphasizes the catalytic role of official diplomacy and the complementary role of public diplomacy. An important place in the study is given to the institutional capacity of subjects of public and, in particular, business diplomacy. The author’s vision of the role and capabilities of public institutions, especially NGOs, which are active participants in diplomatic processes, is a high assessment of their mobility, wider access to public and economic resources, greater freedom of action, and the possibility of freely combining different areas of activity and creating new models of interaction. Based on a deep analysis of modern objects of NGO attention, the authors concluded that the synergy of different directions is productive and reflects modern trends in the development of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. The work also emphasizes that a specific feature of NGO activity is regional and municipal public diplomacy, which is not only an important addition to classical interstate cooperation mechanisms but also serves a lobbying role. The article examines the role of interregional and intermunicipal cooperation as a practical mechanism for strengthening Slovak-Ukrainian relations in the context of modern European transformations. Special attention is paid to developing horizontal ties between cities and regions, which complement traditional diplomatic instruments and contribute to the formation of sustainable models of international interaction. Using the example of the NGO “Carpathian Platform” and the cooperation between the cities of Zhovkva and Levoča, the possibilities for developing partnerships in cultural heritage, energy, local government, education, and the economy are analyzed. The prospects for further deepening interregional cooperation in the context of Ukraine’s European integration, energy security, and the development of cross-border cooperation are separately highlighted. Keywords: NGO, interregional cooperation, municipal diplomacy, Slovakia, Ukraine, Carpathian Platform, cross-border partnership, local government, energy security, diplomacy.