Minister Ivanov: Reducing inequalities and more opportunities for regions will be our main goal at the forefront of the Danube Strategy

At a ceremony in Sarajevo, the regional minister took over the rotating presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

“The Danube is more than a river – it connects different peoples, their cultures and is a path to our common future. It reminds us that progress comes when we move together.” This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov during the XIV Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, which is held in Sarajevo. At a special ceremony during the event, Minister Ivanov officially received from Elmedin Konakovic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of outgoing President Bosnia and Herzegovina, the ship's rudder, a symbol of the Presidency of the Danube Strategy. This also marks the symbolic start of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Strategy, which officially begins on 1 January 2026.

"Bulgaria's main priority and goal under the Presidency will be to bring the Strategy closer to the people, because it was made for them. We will focus on reducing inequalities, strengthening ties, bringing countries closer together and creating opportunities that reach every part of the region. We will continue to build bridges – between states, between institutions and, most importantly, between people. The roll I get today is a symbol of carpooling. Let us continue to govern together – for a more connected, sustainable and cohesive Danube region", said the regional minister. He expressed his gratitude to Bosnia and Herzegovina for the hard work and commitment on the initiative and stressed that the country led the Presidency with a vision, showing how the Danube can bring the region closer together and support EU enlargement and unity. Our country takes over for the second time the Presidency of the Strategy, which promotes the economic, social and territorial development of the region and the cohesion of the Danube countries, after 2018. It will continue throughout the following year with various initiatives, meetings and forums.

The Danube Strategy was approved in 2011. It covers 14 countries and over 100 million people, one fifth of the EU population. Nine of the countries are members of the European Union – Austria, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania – while the other five – Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine – are located in the Danube basin. The aim of the Strategy is to develop the economic potential of the Danube River, which is the second longest river in Europe and connects the countries of Central Europe with the Black Sea region, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The forum began with a minute of silence in memory of those who died in the city of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, last night.