INFORMATION NOTE FOR WATER DIRECTORS
MAY 2011
3b - Note from Hungary
EU Strategy for the Danube
About the Strategy
The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EDRS) is a macro-regional development strategy and action plan for the regions and countries of the Danube river basin. EDRS is going to be the second macro-regional development strategy of the EU and includes 8 EU-Member and 6 Non-EU States: Germany (Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria), Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova and Ukraine.
EDRS targets the sustainable development of the Danube macro-region. Its objective is to achieve a sustainable increase in the region’s economy and competitiveness, and to increase general welfare, with the protection of natural areas, landscapes and cultural heritage. The EDRS contributes also to strengthening cohesion in the region and helps reduce existing regional differences.
Acting on the request of the European Council in June 2009, the European Commission submitted a proposal for the EDRS on 8th December 2010.The preparation of the EDS was a transparent process, the Commission’s proposal is based on a year of consultation with the involvement of the countries concerned and wide circle of stakeholders from the whole region. The final adoption of the EDRS by the Member States is expected at the 24 June 2011 meeting of the European Council.
The General Affairs Council has adopted the related Council Conclusion on 13 April 2011.
Structure of the Strategy
The Strategy contains a detailed Action Plan based around 4 pillars, including 11 Priority Areas. According to the decision on the implementation each priority area is co-coordinated by 2 countries as follows:
· Connecting the Danube Region
(1) improving mobility -
1a (inland navigation) – AT, RO;
1b (rail, road air) – SI, SRB
(2) encouraging sustainable energy – CZ, HU
(3) promoting culture and tourism – BG, RO
· Protecting the environment in the Danube Region
(4) restoring water quality – HU, SK
(5) managing environmental risks – HU, RO
(6) preserving biodiversity – GE, CRO
· Building prosperity in the Danube Region
(7) developing research capacity – SK, SRB
(8) education and information technologies, supporting
the competitiveness of enterprises - DE, CRO
(9) investing in people’s skills – AT, MD
· Strengthening the Danube Region
(10) stepping up institutional capacity, and cooperation of institutions – AT, SI
(11) improving cooperation to tackle organised crime, security – DE, BG
The EC Communication on the EDRS also proposes a number of time-limited targets for each priority area. To achieve the targets, the Strategy lists a series of actions which will also make an important contribution to achieving the broader Europe 2020 goals for sustainable and smart growth. The actions are supported by illustrative list of projects which can be amended in the course of implementation.
Water related aspects of the Strategy
The Strategy is expected to facilitate water related challenges in the Danube basin particularly the realisation of the river basin management plans and related programs of measures as well as the flood action plans. The Strategy should ensure that the water and environment related aspects are duly taken into account in other relevant areas of the Strategy (e.g. navigation, energy). Link, synergies, and appropriate coordination with already existing water related programmes and implementation framework is essential. Close coordination among the environment and water related priority areas (4,5,6) has to be ensured as well as appropriate coordination and cooperation with the other priority areas relevant to water and environment.
Some crucial issues concerning preparation for final adoption and implementation
Priority Area Coordinators (PAC)
Their role is crucial; they are the main actors of implementing the Strategy and making it operational. Committed, proactive and effective coordinators will make the Strategy successful.
Their main responsibilities in short are: a) set up of an operational working structure, b) agree on (revised!) targets and deadlines for actions and projects, c) ensuring policy discussion and policy development, d) ensuring communication and visibility of results, e) monitor and report to the Commission on the progress once a year.
Target setting
The Commission set targets to focus and prioritise efforts (it is novelty compared to the EU Strategy for the Baltic region). As put forward by the Council Conclusions on EDRS targets should be revised (“reality checked”) by the PACs with the involvement of stakeholders and the Commission. Relevant, feasible targets should be set among all 11 priority areas using two-level approach: those targets (indicated in the Communication) should be recognised by June 2011 which make aware of eventual objections. Targets should be endorsed by the High Level Group (a body of overall coordination of the EDRS of the EU-27). Participation of third countries is extremely important.
Financing
The Strategy also aims for a better and coordinated use of resources. Although the Strategy does not come with extra EU finance, a considerable amount of funding is already available to the region through various EU programmes. The aim is to use this available support – € 100 billion alone allocated from the cohesion policy (European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund, European Social Fund) between 2007 and 2013 – to greater effect and show how macro-regional cooperation can help tackle local problems.
Necessary next steps towards ensuring financing of EDRS project: listing on-going projects (signalling founding sources), mapping available financial resources, exploring flexibility in utilizing EU resources for Danube relevant projects, securing technical assistance money for priority are coordinators, in kind technical assistance.
Link to other macro-regional Strategies
Early exchange of experiences and good practices with the Baltic Strategy and from territorial programmes is advisable. Evaluation of the Danube and Baltic Strategies’ experiences is also envisaged by the Council Conclusion on the adoption of the EDS before deciding on launching of any further EU macro-regional strategies.
ANNEX
Milestone dates of the future (indicative planning)
8-10 May 2011 1st Joint meeting of National Contact Points (NCP), Priority Area
Coordinators (PAC), European Commission ( EC), Interact
(Gödöllő, Hungary)
May-June 2011 Kick off meetings for each Priority Area (Danube region wide participation)
June 2011 End of endorsement procedure
Oct 2011 Financing working meeting with the participation of financing institutions
Dec 2011 Joint Meeting of NCPs, PACs, EC (exchange of experience, discussion on work programs and results of kick of meetings, etc.)
Marc 2012 1st Annual Forum (with all stakeholders)
May 2012 Joint Meeting of NCPs, PACs, EC (exchange of experience, reporting, alignment of funding, etc.)
June 2012 1st Annual Progress Report (PACs report to EC)
Sept-Nov 2012 1st Annual Progress Report (EC preparation)
Nov 2012 Joint Meeting (NCPs, PACs, EC)
Dec 2012 1st Annual Progress Report presented by EC to the High Level Group (HLG)
Jan-Febr 2013 Amendment of Action Plan and Communication by EC
Marc 2013 2nd Annual Forum (all stakeholders)
Marc 2013 EC Submits to Council the 1st Annual Progress Report and amended Communication and Action Plan
June 2013 EC submits to Council Report on the evaluation of the added value of macro-regional strategies
Nov 2013 Joint Meeting of NCPs, PACs, EC
Dec 2013 2nd Annual Progress Report presented by EC to HLG