Speaking at the 15th Annual Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region here on Tuesday, the Chair of the Bratislava self-governing Region and Vice-President of…
Speaking at the 15th Annual Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region here on Tuesday, the Chair of the Bratislava self-governing Region and Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Juraj Droba said that local and regional authorities should be involved not only in implementing European decisions but also in setting priorities and finding solutions to common challenges.
He emphasized that the Danube connects people, markets, and ideas from the Black Forest to the Black Sea and represents a common European space with opportunities but also with challenges that are not limited by national borders. Droba said that the EU Strategy for the Danube Region provides a framework for joint action in areas such as transportation connectivity, competitiveness, climate change, water management, demographic challenges, and security.
He noted that better integration between river and maritime transport requires coordination among ports, navigation systems, and traffic management. Droba highlighted the region's economic potential, noting that closer cooperation could create new opportunities for cross-border business, innovation, and development. He called for ensuring, during discussions on the EU's next multiannual financial framework and the future of cohesion policy, that territorial cooperation remains an important part of European development. He stated that regional priorities must be linked to specific investments at the local level.
The Chair of the Bratislava self-governing Region said that the Danube Strategy also plays a role in the EU's enlargement process by bringing together Member States and candidate countries around common challenges and helping to build trust. For countries such as Ukraine and Moldova, participation in this cooperation offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in areas that will be important for their future membership in the Union.
As an example of the challenges facing the region, Droba cited the low water levels of the Danube this summer, which impacted the economy and transportation. He reported that the Bratislava Region is already preparing for the next multiannual financial framework, with its main priorities including the development of human capital and effective water management. Some challenges exceed the capabilities of individual regions and countries and require broader coordination and cross-border cooperation, Droba noted.
This is a source-linked briefing. Read the original report from Bulgarian News Agency .