In his talk State Secretary Božinović reported on the activities undertaken by the Republic of Croatia in the process of drafting the Danube Strategy. He also pointed out the importance of cooperation in the field of construction and reconstruction of inland waterways, railway and road infrastructure. Current problems caused by floods in Eastern Croatia and in other countries of the Danube basin serve as a grave reminder of how necessary it is to jointly approach the issues of environment, which will also be one of the most important pillars of the future Danube Strategy.

While referring to a large potential of Croatian inland waterways, he pointed out the fact that its total network density amounts to 14 km per 1000 km2. He said, however, that although the said number is above the European average, the potential of rivers as traffic corridors is not sufficiently realized in Croatia. Croatia, therefore, sees the Danube Strategy as an opportunity to establish a coordinated trans-border and trans-national cooperation in issues of common interest for the broader Danube region.

This conference is the last among the events organised by the European Commission with a view to encouraging dialogue and exchange of ideas related to the future Danube Strategy which is to be adopted at the beginning of the next year within the framework of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU.

Press releases