Strasbourg, 24/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission does not envisage setting up a macro-regional strategy for the mountainous Carpathian region. Speaking on behalf of the European commissioner for regional development, his colleague, responsible for agriculture, Dacian Ciolos, informed MEPs meeting for their plenary session on Thursday 24 October.
Such a strategy would help resolve common problems in seven countries, such as the environment, immigration and education. The countries affected are the Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia and Romania. With the exception of Poland, all these countries are already covered by the Danube Basin macro-regional strategy. Commissioner Ciolos therefore pointed out that “the Commission does not currently see any reason for creating a European strategy for the Carpathian region but suggests using the existing strategy that already provides a cooperation framework in 11 priority areas, covering a wide field of application and which can include problem areas specific to the Carpathians”. The Commission will propose, however, including Poland on certain projects if this is deemed necessary: “Poland can join the Danube strategy if it proves useful”, confirmed the commissioner. Although a strategy for the Carpathians is not yet on the Commission agenda, while a macro-regional strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian region is, “this does not mean that there cannot be any coordination”, explained the commissioner. (MD/transl.fl)