Deputy Minister Dora Yankova: Better linking the Danube region with the Black Sea will create stronger transport, logistics and economic opportunities for Europe

More than 30 experts from 14 European countries discuss in Sofia the opportunities for greater integration, efficiency and better results of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

"Linking the Danube to the Black Sea region as an economic axis is one of the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. This will create stronger transport, logistical and economic links between the interior of Europe and the eastern parts of the continent, as a natural extension of the European macro-regional logic". This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Dora Yankova at the opening of a meeting of the National Coordinators of the Danube Strategy. It is part of the calendar of events of the Bulgarian Presidency and gathered in Sofia more than 30 experts from 14 European countries and the European Commission. Among the main topics of the meeting is the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, as well as the related instruments. The new financial framework focuses on greater integration, more efficiency and a stronger result-orientation. The meeting of national coordinators will contribute to a clearer mapping of priorities for the post-2027 period, to better linking strategic objectives with financial instruments and to more effective cooperation between all partners.

In front of the participants in the meeting, Dora Yankova pointed out that the Bulgarian Presidency puts a clear political focus on reducing regional disparities through enhanced cohesion and integration. "Despite the progress made, economic, social and territorial disparities remain a major challenge for the region. Addressing them requires greater integration of macro-regional priorities into European and national programmes. Only through stronger coordination and more coherent policies can we ensure that development efforts effectively reach all parts of the region, including those facing structural challenges," said the deputy regional minister. According to her, macro-regional strategies, including the Danube, should be used as a tool for the implementation of European policies. "This means better integration of our priorities into national and regional plans and future EU programmes, as well as more effective use of the instruments available to support territorial cohesion," said Yankova.

According to the Regional Deputy Minister, connectivity - transport, energy, digital - is key. "The Danube is not just a geographical axis, but a strategic artery that connects economies and societies, but at the same time clearly shows where there are still differences in development. Investing in sustainable and modern connectivity therefore remains a key priority", commented Dora Yankova.  The other priority on which the Bulgarian Presidency is working is the European perspective of the candidate countries from the Danube region. According to Yankova, EU enlargement is a process of strategic importance for the stability, security and prosperity of the whole continent. In this regard, the EU Danube Strategy can be an effective tool to support enlargement as a platform for cooperation, exchange of experience and gradual convergence with European policies and standards. "The Danube is one of the most diverse macro-regions in Europe, bringing together EU Member States and candidate countries, each with different economic capacities and territorial realities. The Danube Strategy provides an important framework for collectively addressing common challenges. It enables countries and regions to work together, coordinate their policies and strengthen cooperation on issues that transcend national borders," said Deputy Minister Yankova.