The Danube Strategy can help people facing similar challenges exchange experiences and solutions, develop their skills, establish small and medium-sized enterprises, and ultimately remain in and contribute to the development of the region, said Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, during the closing session of the Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, which took place November 3 and 4 at the Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia.
She highlighted several key conclusions that are important for the future of the Danube Region. The first is the need to change the way we think about the environment and economic development. According to Chobanova, these are not two separate issues. Efforts to improve the condition of the river, protect biodiversity, preserve soils, and safeguard wetlands are all directly relevant to the economy, security, and people’s quality of life, she noted. Chobanova added that this interconnection is even more evident along the Danube River.
Throughout the forum, it was repeatedly emphasized that when a problem arises somewhere along the Danube, its consequences affect everyone else, Yordanka Chobanova said. In this regard, she stressed the need for more joint action and better exchange of data, knowledge, and information in order to develop common solutions.
Chobanova’s second conclusion concerns the need to strengthen resilience to crises, a concept that extends far beyond natural disasters. In addition to floods, droughts, and other natural hazards, countries must be prepared for emergencies affecting critical infrastructure, disruptions to transport connections, interruptions in energy supplies, and other consequences arising from geopolitical instability, she stated.
According to Chobanova, one of the greatest benefits of the Danube Strategy is that it enables all participating countries to prepare in a coordinated manner and, when necessary, extend a helping hand and support one another.
Yordanka Chobanova’s third conclusion focuses on opportunities for people living in the Danube Region. In many areas along the Danube River, populations are declining, and young people are leaving in search of opportunities elsewhere, she observed. In her view, it is essential that young people actively participate in decisions shaping the future of the Danube Region, starting today.
According to Chobanova, the Danube Strategy helps connect and coordinate policies. She pointed out that coordination is often lacking and that the Danube Strategy plays a crucial role in helping countries align their investment plans and make better use of limited resources. This can generate significantly greater added value when initiatives are jointly designed and agreed upon by all participating countries. These are the results that everyone wants to see — tangible evidence that the Danube Strategy delivers concrete outcomes, Chobanova concluded.

Danube Strategy Can Help People Stay and Develop Region, Head of European Commission Bulgarian Office Says 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-11-04 04:10:59

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