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’.
Speaking at a meeting with ambassadors from Danube-region countries, Bulgaria’s Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Ivanov, noted that for more than 15 years since its approval by the Council, the Strategy has been actively focused on unlocking the potential of the Danube region. He highlighted its role in supporting sustainable recovery from economic crises, fostering socio-economic progress, boosting competitiveness, strengthening environmental governance and resource-based growth, modernising transport networks, and improving security.
Minister Ivanov underlined that the coordination mechanism established by Bulgaria to guarantee effective participation in the Strategy is not only a long-term asset but also a valuable tool for strategic planning, aligning perspectives and enhancing cooperation among institutions.
He reiterated that Bulgaria sees the added value of the Danube Strategy in partnership and in the implementation of shared strategic initiatives. He added that targeted support for projects in the Danube region is provided through Bulgaria’s operational and territorial cooperation programmes, which allow priority to be given to projects whose activities contribute to achieving the objectives of the Danube Strategy.
“The Strategy has been actively working to harness the potential of the Danube region and to support efforts to overcome the economic crisis in a sustainable manner, improve socio-economic development, competitiveness, environmental governance and resource-based growth, modernise transport corridors and enhance security”, stated Mr. Ivan Ivanov, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works
The Minister also pointed out that although the priorities of the Danube Strategy have evolved over time, they now require updating and adaptation to respond to the new challenges facing the countries of the region. “Tackling them requires mobilising strong political support from all countries and institutions at European, macro-regional and national level, securing substantial investment for their implementation and achieving visible results for the people of the region. In these processes, countries rely on the strong support of the European Commission,” he stressed.
According to Minister Ivanov, Bulgaria’s Presidency of the Danube Strategy offers an opportunity to draw attention to the region’s potential, noting that “‘the Danube is more than a river – it connects different peoples and their cultures and is a path to our common future. It reminds us that progress comes when we move together”
Following the Minister’s remarks, the National Coordinator of the Danube Strategy for Bulgaria, Vyara Mincheva, presented the key priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency.
Ms. Mincheva emphasised that reducing disparities through greater convergence and integration is at the heart of the Presidency’s political agenda, with particular attention to regional inequalities as a challenge to competitiveness and stability. She also highlighted the importance of cities as key drivers in narrowing gaps and promoting social cohesion, skills development and cultural connectivity.
She further noted that the Bulgarian Presidency’s priorities include strengthening demographic and territorial resilience, as well as deepening cooperation with EU candidate countries. Ms. Mincheva added that the Presidency will underline the added value of macro-regional strategies in the ongoing discussions on the European Union’s post-2027 financial framework. Lastly, the Bulgarian Presidency aims to function as a platform for dialogue among EU institutions, national and regional authorities, and regional stakeholders, “in order for the Danube Strategy to further strengthen its role as a catalyst for integrated, inclusive and impactful development across the Danube region.”
“The Danube is more than a river – it connects different peoples and their cultures and is a path to our common future. It reminds us that progress comes when we move together”, Mr. Ivan Ivanov, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.
