Cooperation seen as key to success of Danube Strategy

The success of Europe's second macro-regional strategy will depend on close cooperation between the regions and nations involved, according to the European Commission, which published its proposals for the Danube region last week (9 December).

The Danube Strategy, to be launched in 2011, has the overall aim of boosting trade and economic growth across 14 countries, notably by improving transport links.

It will also seek to facilitate closer cross-border cooperation on combating organised crime and implementing policies for a cleaner environment.

The Danube Strategy, to be launched in 2011, has the overall aim of boosting trade and economic growth across 14 countries, notably by improving transport links.

It will also seek to facilitate closer cross-border cooperation on combating organised crime and implementing policies for a cleaner environment.

"These macro-regional strategies are a new form of cooperation to achieve our objectives more effectively," said Johannes Hahn, the EU's commissioner in charge of regional policy, who presented the proposals to journalists in Brussels last week (9 December).

National and regional governments are currently examining the Commission's proposals for putting in place a long-term strategy for the Danube region.

Following-on from the EU's Baltic Strategy, launched in 2009, the Danube Strategy will cover a vast area with 115 million inhabitants, from the banks of the Rhine River in southern Germany to the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria.

"We'd like to ensure coordination and cooperation between the regions," said Hahn. "If we have better cooperation, we can improve the value added of European investment," he added.

Targets and deadlines

One of the main goals of the Danube Strategy is to improve transport modality in the region, and especially to promote the use of the Danube river as a corridor for moving freight.

The strategy proposes that the amount of cargo carried along the Danube river should increase by 20% in the next ten years: just one of a series of targets identified in the Commission communication.

According to the latest available data, some 50 million tons of cargo was transported by ship along the Danube in 2007, but this is less than 10% of the river's potential carrying capacity.

The EU executive believes that setting targets is necessary in order to focus and prioritise efforts. These targets should be further developed, in consultation with stakeholders, and finalised before the strategy is formally adopted by the European Council in June 2011.

"I think this second macro-regional approach is the first one where you can really see the new philosophy, or the adjusted philosophy of regional policy, with a strong focus on results," Hahn argued, saying regional policy should become a more result-oriented policy.

The commissioner is keen to have not only an action plan, but also strict delivery deadlines for the various measures.

Other examples of targets proposed by the Commission include rail freight corridors and travel times for rail passengers, as well as reducing pollution levels and increasing the number of fish living in the Danube river.

The Danube Strategy overlaps with the Europe 2020 strategy, which was adopted by EU leaders in June 2010 and which includes quantified targets for creating jobs, reducing poverty, raising education levels and investing in research and development.

Implementation and governance

Commissioner Hahn confirmed that no new money would be made available to implement the Danube Strategy, and there are no plans to establish a separate budget line for financing the various measures to be developed under the strategy.

"That's not necessary, because in the region, through the various funds, the cohesion funds in particular, there is quite a lot of money available," explained Hahn.

Some €100 billion has already been promised to the eight member states in the Danube region under the main structural funds for the current seven-year period (2007-2013).

"Much of that money has already been allocated to projects, but there are funds still available to allow projects to be funded through this strategy," said Hahn.

"The objective is to improve the effectiveness of the use of these resources," he added. "We want to maximise what we get for our money."

The Commission is proposing that individual member states be put in charge of coordinating actions within specific priority areas, with each member state taking responsibility for one or two areas. Decisions on which country or region will be responsible for each priority area will be taken during the first half of 2011, when Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council of Ministers.

The implementation of the strategy will be closely monitored and steered by a high-level group, which will meet on a regular basis. There will also be an annual conference where all the interested parties and stakeholders will discuss the progress they are making, and any obstacles or challenges that need to be overcome.

The Commission's proposals are currently being examined by national and regional governments. The Danube Strategy will be discussed by ministers from all the EU member states at the General Affairs council meeting in April, and should be formally approved by EU leaders at the European Council summit in June 2011.

Hungary is right in the centre of the new macro-region, and therefore it is highly fitting that the Danube Strategy will be launched during the Hungarian presidency.

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