The Intercommunity Development Association (ADI) ITI Danube Delta and the World Bank launched on Tuesday, in Corbu, the first in a series of 11 zonal sessions of public consultations dedicated to the revision of the Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Danube Delta 2040.

'We want to find out directly from the communities what the real development needs are, and the projects considered priorities for each area. Together we can build a strategy connected to the reality of the places and to the needs of the people', say the representatives of the association.

The consultation was attended by representatives of the communities from the southern area of the Danube Delta ITI - Corbu, Istria, Sacele and Mihai Viteazu in Constanta.

Chairman of ADI ITI Danube Delta Ilie Petre emphasised the importance of alignment with the new community rigors.

'Today we are trying to recalibrate the strategy on the new European principles and directives, an issue that the European Commission cares about very much. (...) That is why we are here today, as we have done in our other actions designed to keep up a permanent, transparent and direct dialogue that would support a consistent investment plan, anchored to the real development needs of the communities,' Petre is quoted as saying in a social media post.

Urban Development Expert at the World Bank Marius Cristea underlined the importance of developing private investments in the Danube Delta.

'The Danube Delta has become a strategic military objective, not just a natural one. (...) Beyond security, the big challenge now is what we do from an economic perspective for the inhabitants of the Danube Delta, from the entire territory of ITI. I believe that the new strategy must open paths and strategically guide not only public money, but especially investments in the private sector,' Cristea said.

World Bank expert Marcel Heroiu highlighted the advantageous positioning of Corbu, which also benefits from being part of the Constanta Metropolitan Area.

'If we strictly discuss the funds dedicated to Danube Delta ITI, the Territorial Development Strategy of Romania (SDTR) we will have a broader vision, with an important focus on metropolitan areas. Development is diffused from dynamic urban centres to the neighbouring areas,' said Heroiu.

Corbu officials requested the asphalting of the roads to Corbu and Vadu beaches, as well as the creation of a separate electrical grid for the beach area, all investments considered vital for boosting local businesses. At the same time, it was suggested to create a tourist infrastructure link between Sinoe - Vadu - Grindul Chituc.

Sacele officialds suggest a theme park and a modern arena that will bear the name of Gheorghe Hagi, who was born there.

Istria Mayor Mihai Ionescu raised the issue related to the severe environmental constraints, given that over 90% of the place is a Natura 2000 site, which generates a blockage in the investment area. In this context, the World Bank's experts said that they will suggest to the government forms of compensatory subsidies for communities subjected to environmental constraints.

Regarding the performance of unclogging - considered the most important measure for the Delta, the chairman of ADI ITI Danube Delta announced that he supports the implementation of a scientific hydraulic model that would indicate exactly where and how to intervene.

The event at Corbu is part of a series of 11 zonal public consultations that ADI ITI Danube Delta, together with World Bank experts, organises between June 2 and 12.

The Danube Delta ITI is an integrated financial mechanism dedicated to the Danube Delta area and designed according to the specific needs of this territory. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Nona Jalba; EN - writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)