High-ranking parliamentary representatives from the Danube region states are guests in parliament
Vienna (PK) – This year, Austria is hosting the 9th Conference of Speakers of Parliament of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), which will take place in the House from March 18th to 19th. The EUSDR, which was founded in 2011 on an Austrian-Romanian initiative, is one of four so-called macro-regions of the European Union. It includes nine EU member states and five EU candidate countries. The aim of the strategy is to solve cross-border problems in the Danube region through increased cooperation. Today’s event aims to strengthen the importance of the parliamentary dimension and to make the best possible use of its potential. In particular, the high-ranking parliamentary representatives from Bulgaria, Germany, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Austria addressed the topics “Security in the Danube Region”, “Democracy Building” and the Danube Region Cultural, natural and scientific areas apart.
Austria will hold the presidency of the EUSDR from November 2023 to the end of 2024. The chairmanship’s priorities are stability and security with a European perspective for the entire Danube region, innovation, skills training and economic opportunities as well as improving the river ecosystem, greening water management and managing the green transformation.
Sobotka: Cooperation in the Danube region can promote EU enlargement
The EU strategy for the Danube region affects around 115 million people, which corresponds to around a quarter of the EU population, emphasized National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka in his opening remarks. This format has taken on new meaning, especially against the backdrop of the geopolitical changes of the past few years. With regard to the main topic “Security in the Danube Region”, Sobotka stated that Ukraine was defending European values by defending itself against the Russian war of aggression. Other common security aspects include measures against organized crime such as human, drug and weapons trafficking as well as money laundering. In the area of democracy education, the National Council President said he was proud that the successful model of the Austrian Parliament’s democracy workshop was also being implemented in other countries. Sobotka also saw opportunities for cultural identification in the individual countries in the great diversity of the cultural and natural areas of the Danube region.
Göll: Take greater account of women’s perspectives in collaboration
The Danube region is not only the largest and most diverse of the EU’s four macro-regional strategies, but also includes a geostrategically important area, stated Federal Council President Margit Göll in her opening speech. Since the Danube Region Strategy includes EU member states and EU accession candidates, it represents a significant contribution to EU enlargement and neighborhood policy. Cross-border cooperation is crucial for promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region. Göll also advocated that the perspectives, experiences and ideas of women be given even greater consideration within the framework of the Danube Region Strategy. “Especially in challenging times, it is important that women are at the forefront of decision-making,” said the President of the State Chamber.
Tchakarova: Diverse security threats require joint action
The first of three sessions was about security in the Danube region. The Danube region has always been “a bridge between East and West” and a parameter in which geopolitical tensions and transformation processes are reflected, emphasized Velina Tchakarova from the Austria Institute for European and Security Policy in her keynote. There are a variety of security threats today that require joint action. Tchakarova mentioned, for example, the bombing of the Danube ports by Russia, which are important for the export of Ukrainian food, threats from organized crime and international migration flows. The EU integration of the Western Balkan countries, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, which is being pushed through the EUSDR, is also a long-term strategic decision to strengthen security in the region. In her conclusions, Tchakarova called for strengthening regional cooperation and intelligence sharing, further intensifying EU integration, and investments to promote youth education and resilient democracies.
Stefanchuk: Ukraine makes a fundamental contribution to security in the Danube region
Ukraine is now in the third year of the struggle for its freedom and independence and is making a fundamental contribution to security in the Danube region, said Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, in the ensuing debate. Stefanchuk called on partners to ensure sufficient support at all levels for Ukraine “to defeat Russia on the battlefield.”
The Russian threat also affects the Republic of Moldova, which is why advancing European integration is more important than ever, emphasized the President of the Moldovan Parliament Igor Grosu. They are committed to the goals of the EUSDR, which is why Grosu asked the partner countries to continue to support the Republic of Moldova on this path.
According to Peter Žiga, Vice President of the Slovak Parliament, Slovakia is a strong partner for EU enlargement. Žiga explained that he expects Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and the Western Balkan countries to be treated equally with a merit-based approach. The strategic partnership between the EU and NATO is essential for security in Europe.
European security is inextricably linked to Ukraine, which is why it still needs military and political support, emphasized Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Chairwoman of the Czech House of Representatives. Other strategically crucial points for security are the advancing EU integration, the functioning of the Schengen area and the fight against international crime.
For the President of the Bulgarian Parliament, Rosen Zhelyazkov, the challenges of migration can only be solved through joint efforts. Bulgaria has made great efforts to protect its external borders. As for Ukraine, Zhelyazkov also spoke out in favor of supporting it for as long as necessary.
Wolfgang Reinhart, Deputy President of the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg, emphasized that Germany, as the second largest supporter after the USA, is also on Ukraine’s side. When it comes to EU enlargement, parliaments have to pay attention “right now” to ensuring that it succeeds. In principle, cross-border security “must be the top priority,” but one should not forget about issues such as renewable energies, said Reinhart.
New challenges do not recognize national borders, said the deputy speaker of the Hungarian parliament, István Jakab. In the area of energy security, Hungary has tried to diversify its energy infrastructure since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. In addition, measures have been taken against organized crime.
For Croatian parliamentarian Zdravka Bušić, supporting Ukraine must remain a priority. With its war experience, Croatia is helping with demining and prosecuting war crimes. (Continuation of the Danube Region Conference) med/sue
A NOTICE: Photos from the award ceremony as well as one Review of past events you find in Parliament web portal .
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