Danube river region to benefit of EUR 100 bn. for regional development

Johannes Hahn, European Commissar for Regional Policy, attended the works of EU Strategy for Danube Region Conference on June 9 in Mamaia seaside resort, concluding the events destined to the European Union strategy for Danube Region, initiated in February 2010, at Ulm Germany, at the launch of public consultation.

Hahn stated that over 100 contributions were received from governments and other stakeholders within the public consultation. The consulatation process based on three main directions, namely socio-economic, environmental and connectivity.

The objective should be to turn Danube river into an eco fluvial way and to increase efforts to tackle the barriers of free shipping.

The European Commissar underlined that, at present, Danube is used at a rate of up to 3-6% of its total transport capacity, considering that water transport is 100 times cheaper than land transport. 

At the same time, Johannes Hahn stated that the necessary funds to support Danube region are available and that Danube region will benefit of EUR 100 bn. for regional development for the numerous projects, already underway.

Teodor Baconschi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the priorities of the EU Strategy Action Plan for Danube Region also include setting up an international center for advanced studies Danube - Danube Delta - Black Sea, which will perform activities and multidisciplinary research projects focused on sustainable management of wetlands. Another objective envisages doubling the Danube transportation, within the next 1o years.

Representatives of states located in the Danube region, as well as of the European Commission, members of the European Parliament, representatives of the central and local public administration and civil society, attended the closing conference of public consultation on EU Strategy for Danube Region, held between June 9-11 in Constanta and Tulcea localities.

Sursa: Bloom Biz [10.06.2010], Cotidianul [ 08.06.2010], Replica de Constanta [10.06.2010], Romania Libera [11.06.2010]