One year after the launch of the Strategy, Commissioner Johannes Hahn has visited several countries in the region to assess progress on the ground.

Launched in June 2011, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) is the second major exercise in EU cooperation – following in the steps of the Baltic Sea Region – where ministers and policy-makers implement policies, programmes and projects on a range of common concerns. With some of both the richest and poorest territories in Europe, it is all the more important in this time of economic crisis for the Danube Region to work together to maximise its potential and generate growth and jobs. The EUSDR helps to facilitate this, and an Action Plan for the region includes concrete actions and projects – for example, to improve interconnections, including navigation in the Danube; promote innovation by exchange of good practice, networking and joint initiatives; and boost competitiveness by linking businesses.