The Danube Region is a functional area defined by its river basin. Cooperation bodies such as the Danube Commission and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River address specific issues. The Strategy widens this approach to tackle priorities in an integrated way. Geographically it concerns primarily but not exclusively: Germany (Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria), Austria, the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria within the EU, and Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine (the regions along the Danube) outside. The Strategy remains open to other partners in the Region. Since the Danube flows into the Black Sea, it should be coherent with Black Sea perspectives. With over 100 million people, and a fifth of EU surface, the area is vital for Europe.
In the Region, there is a need to connect people, their ideas and needs. Transport interconnections must be modernised, and informatics access improved. Energy can be cheaper and more secure, thanks to better links and alternative sources. Development can be balanced with protection of the environment, within a sustainable development approach, in line with the environmental acquis communautaire as applicable. Work together is needed to minimise risks and disasters such as floods, droughts and industrial accidents. By building on considerable research and innovation perspectives, the Region can be at the forefront of EU trade and enterprise. Disparities in education and employment can be overcome. It can be made a safe and secure area, where conflict, marginalisation and crime are properly addressed.
By 2020, all citizens of the Region should enjoy better prospects of higher education, employment and prosperity in their own home area. The Strategy should make this a truly 21st century region, secure and confident, and one of the most attractive in Europe.
To achieve this, the European Council requested the Commission to prepare this Strategy. It follows the welcome for the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, now being implemented. The Danube request, based on the Baltic experience, underlines an integrated approach to sustainable development. Synergies and trade-offs must be identified, e.g. developing cutting-edge green technology, working towards better alignment of policies and funding to improve impact on the ground, and overcoming fragmentation. The Commission, operating across many policy domains, can facilitate such an approach, as outlined in: (1) this Communication to the other EU Institutions, and (2) an accompanying Action Plan.
The Commission strongly believes that setting targets is essential, to focus and prioritise efforts. These should be further developed with stakeholders, immediately following adoption of this Communication and finalised before the European Council in June 2011. Targets will apply to Member States; non Member States will be encouraged to strive towards them in the light of their specific circumstances. The targets will be monitored closely in the context of Commission reporting.
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In the Region, there is a need to connect people, their ideas and needs. Transport interconnections must be modernised, and informatics access improved. Energy can be cheaper and more secure, thanks to better links and alternative sources. Development can be balanced with protection of the environment, within a sustainable development approach, in line with the environmental acquis communautaire as applicable. Work together is needed to minimise risks and disasters such as floods, droughts and industrial accidents. By building on considerable research and innovation perspectives, the Region can be at the forefront of EU trade and enterprise. Disparities in education and employment can be overcome. It can be made a safe and secure area, where conflict, marginalisation and crime are properly addressed.
By 2020, all citizens of the Region should enjoy better prospects of higher education, employment and prosperity in their own home area. The Strategy should make this a truly 21st century region, secure and confident, and one of the most attractive in Europe.
To achieve this, the European Council requested the Commission to prepare this Strategy. It follows the welcome for the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, now being implemented. The Danube request, based on the Baltic experience, underlines an integrated approach to sustainable development. Synergies and trade-offs must be identified, e.g. developing cutting-edge green technology, working towards better alignment of policies and funding to improve impact on the ground, and overcoming fragmentation. The Commission, operating across many policy domains, can facilitate such an approach, as outlined in: (1) this Communication to the other EU Institutions, and (2) an accompanying Action Plan.
The Commission strongly believes that setting targets is essential, to focus and prioritise efforts. These should be further developed with stakeholders, immediately following adoption of this Communication and finalised before the European Council in June 2011. Targets will apply to Member States; non Member States will be encouraged to strive towards them in the light of their specific circumstances. The targets will be monitored closely in the context of Commission reporting.
