On 27 and 28 November 2012 ACB participated in the 1st Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region in Regensburg (Bavaria), Germany. The first high-level forum, which brings together ministers from all 14 countries participating in the Danube Strategy, was organized in cooperation between the Government of Bavaria and the European Commission.

German Chancellor Ms. Angela Merkel was a special guest to the event. She addressed the audience, encouraging the Danube stakeholders to make use of the chance we have in Europe: to live in a democracy.

The conference was opened by Commissioner Hahn, Member of the European Commission in charge of Regional Policy, under the motto “How can the Danube Region help to build a more competitive Europe”, and focused on partnerships in terms of investment and economic competitiveness, infrastructure development and energy efficiency to foster macro-regional development and create a sustainable Danube region.

Key speakers at the event, representing Bulgaria, were Ms. Lilyana Pavlova, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Mr. Evgueni Spassov from the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Ms. Zornitsa Roussinova, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Mr. Kalin Georgiev from the Ministry of Interior and Mr. Strahil Karapchanski, Vice-Mayor of Ruse.

Speaking before 600 decision-makers from business, politics, international organisations and civil society, Minister Lilyana Pavlova reported on implemented and future projects and proposed funds from the technical assistance program for CBC Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013 to finance feasibility studies for the construction of new bridges over the Danube River.

ACB attended several workshops with the participation of representatives of the Bulgarian government and established a wide network of contacts with regard to its future projects within the EUSDR as well as to the purpose to strengthen the position of ACB in the support of its members in Bulgaria.