The Bulgarian Presidency organised an online edition of the “Chat with the Presidency” initiative, creating an open space for discussion and exchange with stakeholders of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR).

Fifteen years ago, the European Union and the countries of the Danube Region made a joint commitment to cooperate across borders in order to address common challenges and fully realise the Region’s potential.

The fifth report on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies was adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 3 December 2025.

On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria assumed the Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) for the second time. During this year, the participating countries will be brought together under the slogan “Bridging Regions, Building Cohesion: A Stronger Danube for All’.

In December 2025, the European Council tasked the European Commission with developing an EU Strategy for the Atlantic Macro-Region. This initiative builds on the experience of existing macro-regional strategies and is aligned with the Atlantic Maritime Strategy, while fully respecting Member State competences and the principle of budgetary neutrality.

The thematic workshop titled “EUSAIR Master Plan on Energy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region: energy outlook, priorities and prospects” took place in Trieste on 27 November, in conjunction with the 22nd meeting of the Thematic Steering Group on Energy.

The 26th meeting of the Thematic Steering Group for Pillar 4 – Sustainable Tourism (TSG4) under the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) took place in Zagreb in a hybrid format.

On 6 November 2025, alongside the 14th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), national coordinators from both the EUSDR and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) gathered in Sarajevo. The joint meeting, titled “Enhancing EU Accession Support for Candidate Countries in EUSDR and EUSAIR,” convened representatives from EU Member States, candidate countries, the European Commission, and Interreg transnational programmes.

On 6 November 2025, a landmark moment took place during the 14th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), held under the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the first time ever, and at the invitation of the EUSDR Presidency, the four Presidencies of the EU’s macro-regional strategies — EUSDR, EUSAIR, EUSALP, and EUSBSR — came together within the framework of the EUSDR Annual Forum.

On 5 November 2025, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Foreign Ministers of the Danube Region adopted the Sarajevo Danube Declaration, reaffirming their collective dedication to regional unity, stability, and a shared European future.