MEPs, institutions and business discuss the future of the Danube region in Ruse

On 26 May, a discussion on “Bulgaria: a driver of cohesion, resilience and development along the Danube”, organised by the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament, will be held in Ruse. The event will take place from 14:30 in Hall 101, Building 2 of the Angel Kanchev University of Ruse.

A forum with institutions, business and experts

The forum will bring together representatives of the European institutions, local government, academia, business and experts on the Danube Strategy to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the countries of the region and future European policies. The event is held in the context of Bulgaria’s 2026 Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, which focuses on connectivity, cohesion policy, sustainable development and stronger integration of the Danube region into European transport, energy and economic corridors.

The discussion will be opened by MEPs Kristian Vigenin and Tsvetelina Penkova from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, and by the Honorary Rector of the University of Ruse, Acad. Hristo Beloev.

The Danube as a strategic corridor

The role of the Danube as a strategic corridor for transport, the economy and regional development will be discussed. Key topics will include the state of transport and river connectivity along the Danube, infrastructure gaps, the region’s logistics and investment potential, the development of the cross-border economy and the link between education, business and training. The EU’s macro-regional strategies and their importance for Bulgaria will be discussed. The focus will be on the future of cohesion policy, regional inequalities, connectivity along the Danube – Black Sea axis and the place of the Danube region on the European agenda.

Participants will include the Mayor of Ruse, Pencho Milkov, Bulgaria’s National Coordinator for the Danube Strategy, Vyara Mincheva, representatives of the University of Ruse, the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Danube Dredging Fleet, and experts in urban and regional development.