A High Level National Group discussed possible priorities for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

From 1 January 2026, Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Strategy for the second time

“On 1 January 2026, the Republic of Bulgaria will take over the chairmanship of the Danube Strategy for the second time (after 2018). This comes at a difficult time for Europe, a time when the world is changing rapidly. At this moment, it is more important than ever to strengthen existing partnerships, to develop them and fill them with new content in view of the current situation - at European and international level.” This is what Ivan Ivanov, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, said during the first meeting of the National High Level Group on the National Coordination Mechanism for the Implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov, Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov, Minister of Economy and Industry Petar Dilov, deputy ministers and experts related to our country's priority activities under the Danube Strategy took part in the work of the National Group.

Minister Ivanov pointed out that the Strategy gives the countries from the region of the river. The Danube Strategy gives the Danube region very good opportunities for cooperation in areas such as connectivity, infrastructure, migration, demographic pressure, climate change and other problems that we could not tackle on our own. For Bulgaria, as the host of the presidency, it is of utmost importance how we can contribute to the development of the region and its stability in our world of dynamic change, he noted.

The Minister stressed the responsibility of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works in the management and implementation of the Strategy and invited the participants in the meeting to prepare proposals for events.  These could be meetings, different forums, conferences or seminars on topical issues such as water, environment, transport or energy connectivity, culture and tourism that affect the Danube region to be included in the Presidency's calendar.

Vyara Mincheva, who is the national coordinator for Bulgaria, stressed that the Danube Strategy is a cooperation instrument that covers more than 100 million people or one fifth of the EU population. Bulgaria is involved in two priority areas related to security, culture and tourism. She thanked for the initiative shown by those ministries that have already sent their proposals for priorities and events to be included in the Bulgarian Presidency calendar.

In conclusion, Minister Ivan Ivanov stressed that the success of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Danube Strategy depends on the efforts, ambition and energy of everyone and if we approach creatively and responsibly, we can achieve results that are important for Bulgaria and for the region.

The work on the preparation of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region will continue at the level of the National Coordination Group, deputy ministers and experts. Our country will receive the symbol of the presidency - a ship's rudder - for the second time in early November this year from the current chair of the Strategy - Bosnia and Herzegovina.