ForMin Aurescu, at EUSDR Forum, proposes capitalising on links with other EU initiatives in region
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu participated, on Thursday, in videoconference format, in the ministerial meeting of the Annual Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), organized by the rotating Presidency of Croatia.
The central theme of the forum - "Harmonious and sustainable development of the Danube Region" - provided an assessment 10 years after the launch of the Strategy, at the initiative of Romania and Austria, and the presentation of the efforts of EUSDR states to prevent and combat the multiple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify common approaches and projects for socio-economic recovery in the Danube region.
According to a Foreign Ministry (MAE) release sent to AGERPRES, the head of Romanian Diplomacy welcomed the completion of the review process of this Strategy and the adoption of the new Action Plan of EUSDR, underlining the efforts of the Romanian Presidency of EUSDR in 2019 in promoting this goal.
In this context, he mentioned the role of Romania as co-initiator of the EU Strategy in 2008 and the provision by our country and Austria of the offices of the Technical Secretariat of the Strategy. At the same time, he expressed Romania's openness to continue hosting this structure even after 2021.
Minister Bogdan Aurescu pointed out that the challenges generated by the pandemic crisis represent a test of the resilience of states and societies in the region, and the crisis can be overcome only by manifesting regional solidarity, as an expression of common responsibility, by defending democratic values and order based on rules and international law, as well as by adapting to the current context.
The Romanian minister also mentioned the EU's efforts to overcome the current crisis and to recover the economies of the member states, in the form of adjustments to the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and the adoption of the most ambitious investment plan in the history of the Union ("Next Generation EU") and also the substantial EU financial support for the countries of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighborhood.
On this occasion, the head of the Romanian diplomacy evoked Romania's contribution at regional and EU level to the efforts to prevent and combat the pandemic, mainly helping the citizens of the Republic of Moldova by sending medical teams, allocating funds and donating basic sanitation products, respectively the hosting by Romania of the strategic reserve of medical equipment (RescEU) which also benefited countries from the Western Balkans.
Aurescu also stressed the beneficial role of regional cooperation within the EUSDR in bringing EU standards, values and practices closer to EU countries participating in the EUSDR, and proposed building on the EUSDR's links with other EU initiatives in the region, such as the Black Sea Synergy, Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea, with the aim of supporting joint actions and projects in the fields of environment, research and development, energy, transport and economic recovery.
Bogdan Aurescu welcomed the Croatian EUSDR presidency's efforts during this difficult period, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, and wished success to the future Slovak rotating presidency in this format of regional cooperation. At the end of the meeting, the participating ministers adopted a political statement reaffirming the crucial significance of strengthening cooperation between the states of the Danube region in overcoming the current crisis.
The EUSDR is a political initiative of Romania and Austria, promoted in June 2008 by a joint letter on a Prime Minister level addressed to the President of the European Commission. EUSDR is a community instrument for macro-regional cooperation of riparian states, aimed at the economic and social development of the Danube macro-region, by strengthening the implementation of EU policies and legislation in the region.
14 states are participating in the Danube Strategy: nine EU member states (Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany - Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg, Hungary) and five non-EU countries (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova and Ukraine). AGERPRES (RO - author: Oana Ghita, editor: Mihai Simionescu; EN - author: Bogdan Gabaroi; editor: Adina Panaitescu)
The content of the www.agerpres.ro website has the exclusive purpose of public informing.
All the information published on this website by AGERPRES is protected by relevant legal dispositions.
It is forbidden to copy, reproduce, recompile, decompile, distribute, publish, display, modify, create derived components or products or full services, as well as any exploitation of the site's content.
Details in the section Terms of Use. If you are interested in picking up AGERPRES news items, please contact the Marketing Department – [email protected].
The use of the Comments section entails your obligation to respect the AGERPRES terms and conditions in regards to the publishing of comments on the www.agerpres.ro.
Other news in category
DefMin Tilvar: Every Romanian soldier is very important for our country's defence
Every Romanian soldier is very important in ensuring our country's security, regardless of where they operate, defence minister Angel Tilvar said during a videoconference with the ministry of defence leadership and the Romanian soldiers in the theatres of operations. According to a press release of the Ministry of Defence, the commanders of the Romanian de
First robot-assisted breast reconstruction surgery in Romania and Eastern Europe performed in Iasi
The first robot-assisted breast reconstruction surgery was performed at the Regional Institute of Oncology (IRO) in Iasi, marking a first in Romania and Eastern Europe. The IRO Iasi announced on Thursday that, in collaboration with the 'Grigore T. Popa' University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, the first robot-assisted breast reconstruction was succ
DOCUMENTARY/ Easter preparations turn into art in Danube Delta
The first art installation of the Gallery in the Pond project, initiated by the Ivan Patzaichin-Mila 23 Association, was completed on Wednesday, the artistic residency program that brought artists from the United States, Bulgaria and Romania to the Danube Delta, thus becoming a way to internationally promote the reserve. At the same time, the inhabitants of th
Pastry makers estimate baking fewer cozonaci for Easter, with 30% to be exported
Pastry makers estimate they will bake fewer cozonaci (traditional sweet breads or sponge cake) this Easter due to increased costs following the elimination of tax breaks in the food industry, as well as the high markups imposed by some retailers. 'This year, we think we'll bake fewer cozonaci because producers are facing higher costs, and some retailer
EU enlargement chief backs Serbian protesters, calls for urgent return to 'European track' (enr)
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has called on Serbia's incoming government to ensure the country gets back on track towards EU membership. She warned that accession was at stake unless the country tackled key issues. The European Union's enlargement chief, Marta Kos, has backed calls by protesters in Serbia to tackle corruption and boost the rule
Kos: new wave of EU enlargement by 2030 'realistic' (enr)
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos regards a new wave of enlargement by 2030 as 'realistic' with Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro leading the way. But she warns that progress hinges on merit and commitment by the EU candidate countries to deliver on required reforms. The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said a new wave of EU
EU Enlargement Commissioner warns of external forces derailing EU integration (enr)
The EU's enlargement chief has issued a stark warning that the bloc's credibility and security are at stake as foreign powers seek to disrupt the process of new members joining. The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, is expecting great progress in the European Union's enlargement during the next years, but warned of external forces s
Gov't approves Romania - UK Convention on double taxation elimination
The Executive approved on Wednesday a bill on the ratification of the Convention between Romania and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the elimination of double taxation with respect to income and capital gain taxes and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance, as well as of the Protocol annexed to the Convention signed in London on November 13,
Concerts, fairs and youth parade to mark Brasov Days days after Easter
In the week after Easter, between April 25 and 27, the Brasov City Hall organises the Days of Brasov. The event includes a series of concerts and themed fairs and also integrates the events organised by seven groups of young and unmarried men of Scheii Brasovului. The three fairs to be organised are the Easter Fair in the Council Square and the gastronomic one
Under RO-CULTURA, EUR 34 million granted to showcase Romania's cultural heritage
Romania has managed to unite, save and enhance its cultural heritage with the aid of external funds allocated by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - EUR 34 million - Romania's Minister of Culture Natalia Intotero said on Wednesday at the news conference marking the closing of the RO-CULTURA Programme. Under RO-CULTURA, seven calls were released and 67 proj
Two-speed Europe? Green investment gaps raise concerns (enr)
The EU is at risk of falling behind in the global race for green technology, with a top official warning that its manufacturing capacity is not keeping pace with climate goals. The EU is losing ground in the production of green technologies, sparking fears over how this will impact the bloc's emissions targets and its global competitiveness.
Curtea de Arges to Bucharest travel to be possible via motorway as of May
As of May, travel from Curtea de Arges to Bucharest will be possible via motorway, announced National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR) Director General Cristian Pistol. 'Sibiu - Pitesti Motorway (A1): we are getting closer and closer to opening the entire Pitesti - Curtea de Arges section (30.35 km) to traffic! The Italian contractor
PM Ciolacu: Population can secure 20pct of our country's need for borrowing, showing confidence in economy
Estimates show that the population can secure more than 20pct of Romania's need for borrowing, which is a record and shows the confidence of Romanians in the development of our national economy, prime minister Marcel Ciolacu stated on Wednesday. 'Romanian already invested a huge amount in government bonds this year, almost 17.5 billion RON so far. Esti
PresidentialElection2025/IRSOP poll: George Simion and Nicusor Dan - leading preferences
The Alliance for Romanians' Union (AUR) party leader George Simion and Bucharest's general mayor Nicusor Dan are leading in voter preferences for the presidential elections in May, with only a three-percentage-point gap between them, according to an IRSOP poll conducted April 4-14. According to the sociological research, 31% of Romanians said they woul
PresidentialElections2025/INTERVIEW Elena Lasconi: I will challenge my party colleagues' decision to cut my funding with Constitutional Court
USR (Save Romania Union) chairwoman Elena Lasconi, one of the candidates in the May presidential elections, claimed, in an interview with AGERPRES, that she will file challenges with the Constitutional Court, the Permanent Electoral Authority and the court because she is prevented from campaigning, showing that, through the decision taken by 'a handful of people' in