Deputy Prime Minister for EU integration Bozidar Djelic signed yesterday the joint declaration at the Danube Summit in Ulm, which supports the drafting of a joint European declaration for the Danube basin.

Djelic told the FoNet news agency that this announces significant changes in the domain of Danube policy throughout Europe.

He explained that the formation of a new commission in autumn will introduce a new position, Danube coordinator, while in 2011, during Hungary’s presidency over the commission, an EU Danube strategy will be adopted which will draw considerable funds from the 2014-2020 EU budget cycle.

The Danube strategy will be one of three macro regions in the EU, alongside with Mediterranean and Eastern Initiatives, he added.

According to Djelic, the master plan for the Danube will promote Serbia as one of the central countries of the Danubian region.

The summit was hosted by Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg Günther Oettinger.