1 An EU Strategy for the Danube Region : Transport Working Group meeting Transport priorities Brussels, 16 September 2010 Johann Sollgruber, DG REGIO, European Commission

2 Content Why ? What ? How ? –Making it happen : Who does what?

3 Why ? There are a number of issues in the Danube Region which absolutely require working together, across borders and national interests Political commitment to do this needs to translate into Action Actions need to be coordinated and carried out together

4 What ? Some of those key issues : Mobility : movement of people and goods, notion of corridors across Europe, e.g. Danube for inland navigation, sustainable transport in general Energy : secure sources, diversification, esp. renewables, reduction in emissions, efficiency Water : quality (pollution, ecosystems) and quantity (navigation, risk prevention and management) Biodiversity : precious natural heritage (source of well-being and prosperity)

5 What ? Socio-economic development : jobs, welfare, framework for creativity and investments, IT potential education and general capacity : schools and unis, training, modern administration, inclusion of all citizens Culture and identity : we belong to the Danube Rich cultural heritage, potential for positive tourism Safety : personal safety and protection,organised crime, corruption

6 Reaching a decision The Strategy is an EU Strategy –27 Member States have to agree –Commission has to ensure compatibility with EU policies –Partners in region have to agree to implement –Wide consultation process at the root No one is compelled to participate [the whole exercise is based on voluntary cooperation]

7 How ? 1.National Contact Points –Coordinate national administrations –Provide advice and especially information 2.Priority Area Coordinators –Volunteers from national or regional level –Encourage and coordinate project leaders & partners –Report to Commission on progress and possible difficulties

8 How ? 1.Project leaders –Partner willing to lead a project –finds others to cooperate with –Seeks out funding opportunities –Reports on progress, difficulties and blockages Who are they ? Institutions, associations, NGOs, municipalities, networks

9 Territorial coverage of the Danube region strategy

10 The significance of the Danube waterway for the Danube region countries The Danube river directly connects 10 out of the 14 Danube region countries Furthermore the Danube also connects to the regional hinterland via its navigable tributaries (Sava, Drava, Tisa and the Danube-Black Sea canal) and more than 70 ports (40 of international importance)

11 Strategic actions Sonstige Implement the agreed TEN-T priority Danube waterway infrastructure projects on time and in an environmentally sustainable way Develop Danube Ports into multimodal logistics centres Improve the environmental performance of Danube navigation Implement harmonised River Information Services on the Danube Invest in jobs and qualifications in the Danube navigation sector Improve comprehensive waterway management of the Danube (ecology, navigation and flood protection) Examine potential effects of climate change on Danube navigation Coordinate national transport policies in order to promote Danube navigation

12 The Danube river in the context of the European policy framework EC Guidelines for the Development of the Trans-European Transport Network TEN–T (Priority project 18 - Waterway axis Rhine/Meuse-Main- Danube) EC Transport White Paper (Mid-term review 2006) NAIADES – European Action Programme for inland waterway transport (2006) and its implementation platform PLATINA EU enlargement and European neighbourhood policy: EC guidelines for transport in Europe and neighbouring regions (´Building bridges´ 2007) The new Europe 2020 strategy (20/20/20 climate/energy targets – low carbon economy)

13 Who pays ?  Existing EU Funds, including territorial cooperation programmes [cross-border, transnational], Research, Erasmus, LIFE – all based on networks and cooperation  IFI  Donors  EU financial cycle means we start planning now for the period – link future programmes to existing actions and projects

14 Thank you for your attention