site.btaRegional Development Minister Tsekov, Austrian Ambassador Discuss Priorities of Austrian Presidency of Danube Strategy

Meeting on Friday, Regional Development Minister Andrey Tsekov and Austrian Ambassador here Andrea Ikic-Böhm discussed priorities which will be in the focus of the Austrian Presidency of the European Strategy for the Danube Region, Tsekov’s ministry said.

Preliminary talks between the EU member countries will be used to draw up the final agenda of the Presidency, which Austria will assume for a period of one year from November 1 2023.

Ambassador Ikic-Bohm outline security, innovation, the green transition and improving connectivity. She showed interest in infrastructure projects, implemented in Bulgaria.

Minister Tsekov noted that improving connectivity between the regions of the country an with neighboring countries is a priority. He familiarized the Austrian diplomat with the progress in the implementation of large infrastructure projects in Bulgaria and related issues. 

Minister Tsekov and Ambassador Ikic Bohm rallied around the idea that a better transport connectivity contributes  to the development of the business and improves living conditions in the regions.

The Danube Strategy has been implemented since 2011 on the initiative of the countries from the Danube Region which included 14 countries with 115 million population, of which nine are members of the European Union. Bulgaria assumed the rotating presidency of the Strategy in 2018 and highlighted cultural heritage and tourism as engines of economic growth.