ODESA, FEBRUARY 28th, 2012, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE — Vice Governor of Odesa Region Oleksandr Malin the Danube Strategy is EU’s absolutely timely project we therefore start participating actively in it, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

Mr Malin said today, 28 February.

“Odesa region is involved in dozens of formats of international and interregional cooperation — twin-city relations, and membership is the Odesa region in various formats of European non-governmental organizations and associations. We have taken an active part in one of the new formats, this is a new version of the Danube Strategy of the European Union. For us today, it is, perhaps, the main direction to go and not just because we do not give enough attention to other European formats, but because, by analyzing the vital activity of these formats and European associations, we conclude that some of them were frankly stillborn, some due to a number of objective and subjective circumstances of today have no prospects, and even in the medium term and, in contrast to these trends Danube strategy, it is an absolutely timely project of the European Union. It is very well-structured, backed by financial resources and, yet, even so favorable a picture there are some significant problems that interfere with and at the state and regional level, we have successfully integrated into the EU format”, said the official.

INFORMATION: European Union Strategy for Danube Region can contribute to EU objectives, reinforcing major EU policy initiatives, especially the Europe 2020 strategy. It follows the welcome for the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, now being implemented. The Danube request, based on the Baltic experience, underlines an integrated approach to sustainable development. Synergies and trade-offs must be identified, e.g. developing cutting-edge green technology, working towards better alignment of policies and funding to improve impact on the ground, and overcoming fragmentation. The Commission, operating across many policy domains, can facilitate such an approach, as outlined in this Communication to the other EU Institutions, and an accompanying Action Plan. The Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions strongly believe that setting targets is essential, to focus and prioritise efforts. These should be further developed with stakeholders, immediately following adoption of this Communication and finalised before the European Council in June 2011. Targets will apply to Member States; non Member States will be encouraged to strive towards them in the light of their specific circumstances. The targets will be monitored closely in the context of Commission reporting.