Brussels, 27/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Now that the Danube Strategy is one year old, European Regional Development Commissioner Johannes Hahn, is touring the region to examine progress. From 27 June to 1 July, he will be meeting political leaders and Danube Strategy stakeholders in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria, eight of the 14 countries covered by the Strategy.
The Danube Strategy combines regional, research, transport and environmental policies, as well as security, tourism and growth to make the region a better place to live and work. It aims to boost Danube navigation, innovation and competitiveness. Before the visit, Hahn explained in a press release: “The 14 Danube countries are already benefitting from their intensified cooperation under the strategy. Practically a project a week has been identified for implementation since the strategy got off the ground, and new networks are developing among in the field of business, innovation, security and much more. I want to see for myself how the teams leading this pioneering initiative are advancing, and spur them on to accelerate implementation of measures that can help contribute to jobs and growth.” Hahn's trip is timed to coincide with the annual Danube Day celebrations in the region (Friday 29 June), commemorating the signing of the Danube Protection Convention in 1994. The first annual Danube Forum strategy forum will take place in Regensburg (Germany) on 27-28 November. (MD/transl.fl)