The delegation of Vojvodina at the 3rd Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

The Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSRD), which is being held in Vienna on 26th and 27th June, and organised by organised by the European Commission together with the Republic

The Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSRD), which is being held in Vienna on 26th and 27th June, and organised by organised by the European Commission together with the Republic of Austria and the City of Vienna, is the main event of the year for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, assembling stakeholders from the whole Danube area to give strategic direction, exchange and showcase opinions and experiences under the EUSRD. The event, under the frame “We grow together – Together we grow”, was opened by Sebastian Kurz, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, Michael Häupl, Mayor of Vienna, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Ivica Dačić is also among the participants. “We grow together” stands for the European goal of economic, territorial and social cohesion that is particularly relevant for the sustainable development of the Danube area, whereas “Together we grow” stands for the conviction that the process of integration will be for the benefit of everybody involved, and that co-operation will contribute considerably to the growth and international competitiveness of the Danube Region.

In a large number of sessions, the participants discussed topics, such as “Danube potentials – Mind the gap”, “Danube challenges – Invest in people”, Danube disparities, etc. Special attention was given to a deeper integration of the Danube countries regarding economy, low emission of carbon dioxide in the Danube region, models of tourism development, activities in the field of environmental protection, education and opportunities for the use of EU funds, etc. The participants especially focused on the importance of inclusion and suitable development as a prerequisite for prosperity, the adaption of European policies to all stakeholders in order to create a competitive Danube region, as well as management, as a criterion for successful EUSRD implementation. It has been assessed that the activities in the Danube region, reflected by distinct socio-economic, political and other type of heterogeneity, represent both a challenge and an opportunity.

Among the participants in the forum is also the delegation of the Assembly of AP Vojvodina and Government of AP Vojvodina, and representatives of the European Affairs Fund of AP Vojvodina and Guarantee Fund of AP Vojvodina.