Brussels, 26/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 27 November, the First Annual Forum of the Danube Strategy in Regensburg, Bavaria, will be celebrating the results of the first year of the Danube Strategy. The event is being co-hosted by Bavaria and the EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn.
Ahead of the Forum, Johannes Hahn declared “I am convinced that this Strategy is making a major contribution to the competitiveness of this part of Europe. Projects are gathering momentum and are already delivering results. In Regensburg we will be discussing how to make the strategy as effective as possible in bringing changes that will have a real impact on the lives of people throughout the region: now and in the EU's next spending period”.
Launched on 13 April 2011, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region is bringing about closer cooperation between countries and regions across the Danube Macro-Region. The aim is to put in place strategic investment in key areas and create networks to bring political administrations, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and researchers together to help develop co-operation in areas like security and tourism.
The Strategy has already helped to bring about key initiatives and projects which include: the Memorandum of Understanding between Romania and Bulgaria on navigation of the Danube; the Danube Region Gas Market Model where results are so encouraging they aim to extend EU-wide; Danube Tourism: One Brand - Innovative marketing of the Macro-Region with a sustainable boat and bicycle concept and a new cruise fleet already under construction; law enforcement: where regions are working with Europol on projects including the identification of organised crime and tackling corruption in the Danube region; Danube Flood Risk Project: 19 institutions among eight countries participating to “floodmap” and protect the region; the Danube Business Forum, the first networking platform for small and medium sized businesses in the regions - 300 SMES are involved; and the innovative vessels project: developing sustainable transport on the Danube. (OL/transl.fl)