The CCI Israel-Ukraine at the Mlieko & Med ’25 Forum in Bratislava

On May 24, 2025, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Israel-Ukraine participated in Mlieko & Med ’25 — a distinguished public forum held in Bratislava, organized by the Slovak branch of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ Slovensko). The event brought together diplomats, thought leaders, academics, and members of the public to engage in meaningful discussions around Israel. 

Now in its seventh year, the forum commemorated two milestones: the 77th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel and the 58th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. It featured panels on geopolitics, defense, culture, and economy with a strong emphasis on international cooperation.

During the economic panel at Quo Vadis House, the Chamber was represented by Evgeny Shulgin, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, who delivered a speech on Israel’s distinctive economic development model and its relevance for global partnerships.

“We believe international economic relations should go beyond trade,” Mr. Shulgin remarked. “They should focus on how economies can empower one another through shared innovation, investment, talent, and long-term collaboration.”

He outlined four key principles that shape Israel’s economic strategy:

• Viewing crises as catalysts for innovation;

• Investing in human capital as a primary national resource;

• Fostering economic resilience through self-driven initiatives;

• Positioning Israel as a ‘global laboratory’ for new technologies and trends.

Evgeny Shulgin also spoke about the promising potential for trilateral cooperation between Israel, Ukraine, and Slovakia, especially in the areas of scientific research, innovation ecosystems, and financial networks.

The panel also included Martin Mlynek, Slovak economist and financial manager, and Avihu Efrat, an Israeli entrepreneur of Slovak origin who joined remotely.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Israel-Ukraine extends its sincere thanks to ICEJ Slovensko and our partners from the Carpathian Platform for the invitation to be part of this impactful forum and for the opportunity to contribute to a broader conversation about shared responsibility, progress, and cooperation across borders.