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Commission launches the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

21.12.2010
On 8 December 2010, the European Commission adopted a communication on the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.

After an extensive consultation including countries, regions, stakeholders and citizens, the Commission is proposing a strategy for the entire Danube Region.

The Danube Region includes 115 million European citizens, 14 countries of which 8 are Member States, and the most international river in the world.

In order to work together on the common challenges and make full use of the Danube Region's huge potential, the Commission has outlined a strategy based on previous experience in the Baltic Sea Region. The strategy establishes a framework for long-term cooperation on a wide range of issues. This will bring added value by ensuring coherence between different policy areas as well as greater coordination between participating states.

The strategy identifies several key priorities where common action is required.

An Action Plan sets out 4 main pillars for action, with 11 priority areas.

Connecting the Danube Region

To improve mobility and multimodality: inland waterways, road, rail and air links
To encourage more sustainable energy
To promote culture and tourism: people to people contacts

Protecting the environment in the Danube Region

To restore and maintain the quality of waters
To manage environmental risks
To preserve biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils

Building prosperity in the Danube Region

To develop the knowledge of society through research, education and information technologies
To support the competitiveness of enterprises, including cluster development
To invest in people and skills

Strengthening the Danube Region

To step up institutional capacity and cooperation
To work together to promote security and tackle organised and serious crime

By working on concrete actions and projects, the strategy will directly improve the living conditions and increase the opportunities and prosperity of all citizens living in the Danube Region. Given the intertwined nature of many of these challenges, cooperation within a "macro-regional" framework is intended to produce more effective coordination. This approach does not imply new laws or institutions, but rather, strengthens links between different policies and a wide range of stakeholders. It aims to serve the interest of the region as a whole while taking into account its diversity.

The Council will now consider the strategy during the Hungarian EU Presidency with the view to endorse it in spring 2011.

More information about the Danube Strategy, including the communication and its Action Plan, can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/danube/documents_en.htm

If you are interested in further news, please consult the Inforegio Newsletter on the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.