Brussels, 25/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - At the end of June 2009, EU Regional Policy Commissioner (who is now the chair of the EP's Regional Development Committee), Danuta Hübner, said that the European Commission was ready to implement a policy for the Danube region. Proposals are to be submitted this year so that in the first six months of 2011, the Hungarian Presidency of the EU can start introduce it (see EUROPE 9931). The Committee of the Regions (CoR) wasted no time and expressed support for this strategy at its October 2009 plenary (see EUROPE 9993), which was echoed last week by the European Parliament.
Meeting in plenary last week, on Thursday 21 January 2009, the European Parliament adopted a resolution by 544 to 13 with 10 abstentions in which it called on the Commission to (1) organise wide-ranging consultation as soon as possible in all countries through which the Danube flows, examining all areas of regional cooperation, and to unveil the EU's Danube Strategy by the end of the year; (2) and decide on “governance structures” for the new EU policy in order to ensure well-being, sustainable development, job creation and security in the whole region.
The MEPs also asked the Commission to draw on the lessons of the Baltic Sea strategy on the practical aspects of the new policy, calling for the new document to be accompanied by an action plan that covers: - use of the Danube for environmentally-friendly shipping and transport; - intermodal transport along the Danube (improving existing infrastructure); - using hydroelectric plants along the Danube without damaging the environment; - protecting and improving the river's water quality in line with the EU's Water Directive; - strict safety standards for shipping; - environmentally-friendly tourism; - and making improvements in the field of education, research and social cohesion.
The EP also stressed the need for a joined-up approach to ensure greater and better use of EU funding in the countries through which the Danube flows in order to achieve the EU's objectives; - improving the spread and use of modern communication and information technology; - and supporting the economic and social development of the Danube region as a priority area as far as the EU is concerned.
The MEPs also suggest that following consultation with local and regional stakeholders, an EU summit should be organised on the Danube region every two years and the conclusions documents drawn up by the summits should be submitted to the European Council and the European Parliament. (G.B./transl.fl)