Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova participated in a meeting of national coordinators on the EU strategy for the Danube region

The Deputy Minister of regional development and public works Denitsa Nikolova took part in a meeting of national coordinators on the EU strategy for the Danube region held in Budapest, Hungary.

Participants in the meeting joined around the discussed model and tasks of the future structure, which should take over the functions of the Contact unit of the Danube strategy and aid in its implementation.

Bulgaria presented before national coordinators of the fourteen countries its priorities as a future President of the Danube strategy in 2018. Our country will work toward ensuring continuity and following the line for improved coordination within the strategy; promoting, openness, and transparency in decision-making, and holding ongoing debates on current matters; bringing into focus the priority for tourism and cultural infrastructure, and their contribution to achieve economic growth, employment, and connection between regions along the bank of the Danube river. This will also be the main subject of the key event in Bulgaria's presidency of the Danube strategy – the Seventh annual forum, which will be held in October 2018. A Meeting of ministers responsible for tourism will be held within the forum. In early 2018, Bulgaria will host three working meetings of the national coordinators of the Danube strategy and of the coordinators of the twelve priority areas.

Bulgaria takes over Presidency of the EU strategy for the Danube region from Hungary in October 2017. The Strategy provides a framework for its sustainable development by joining the efforts of all stakeholders to overcome challenges in the region associated with the reduction of economic differences, resolving problems related to environmental protection, development of connectivity and security.