The 14th Annual Forum (AF) of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) is taking place in Sarajevo on 5–6 November 2025, hosted under Bosnia and Herzegovina’s presidency of the Strategy. The AF brings together representatives of governments, EU institutions, regional organisations, and other stakeholders including civil society to discuss progress and priorities in areas such as connectivity, climate resilience, and social inclusion across the 14 Danube countries.
Foreign ministers from across the Danube Region adopted the Sarajevo Danube Declaration on 5 November 2025, setting out a broad agenda for regional cooperation, EU integration, and resilience in the face of ongoing geopolitical, environmental, and economic challenges.
Meeting in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), the declaration described the Danube as being “at a crucial geopolitical crossroad.” It outlines priorities ranging from enlargement and security to climate adaptation and youth employment, while reiterating the region’s alignment with EU policies and principles.
A significant portion of the text focuses on the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The ministers collectively condemned attacks on Ukrainian Danube ports and the repeated violations of Romanian and Moldovan airspace, calling these incidents a “serious breach of the freedom of navigation.” The declaration reaffirms solidarity with Ukraine and Moldova, insisting that the Russian Federation “must be held accountable for the damage caused by its aggressive actions.”
The declaration also notes that one Member State expressed reservations about the strategic direction of certain EU policies toward Ukraine—a reference left unnamed in the text.
The statement also calls for continued support for Moldova’s sovereignty and for efforts to counter attempts at destabilisation.
Enlargement and cohesion
The declaration positions EU enlargement as a central strategic objective for the region, describing it as “an investment in the security, stability and prosperity” of the Danube area. It calls for a merit-based and credible enlargement process and notes the role of the EUSDR as a mechanism to connect EU Member States with candidate and potential candidate countries.
The ministers welcomed the European Commission’s steps to make the EU “enlargement ready,” and called for the integration of EUSDR priorities into the next EU funding cycle (2028–2034) under the Multiannual Financial Framework.
Regional resilience and climate cooperation
Beyond enlargement, the declaration highlights the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters in the region, including floods, droughts and fires. It calls for stronger cross-border cooperation on disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and emergency response.
The ministers also reaffirmed commitments to green transition goals, sustainable energy connectivity, and the circular economy, linking these to the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Economic and social development
Addressing demographic decline and youth outmigration, the declaration calls for investment in education, innovation, and labour market mobility. It highlights the role of the Danube Youth Council and the Danube Youth Organisations Network in strengthening regional youth participation and identity.
Other sections touch on border management, migration governance, and efforts to fight organised crime and corruption. The ministers stressed the need for operational cooperation between law enforcement authorities and closer coordination with EU agencies such as Frontex and the EU Asylum Agency.
Broader context
The declaration briefly references developments in the Middle East, welcoming the first phase of the agreement to end the Gaza conflict and reiterating support for a two-state solution in line with international law.
While the Sarajevo Danube Declaration largely builds on previous commitments — including the Vienna Declaration of 2024 — it underscores the continuing importance of regional coordination at a time of uncertainty. It reaffirms the Danube Region’s dual role as a link between EU and non-EU countries, and as a testing ground for cross-border cooperation within a changing European landscape.
The declaration notes, as expected, that Bulgaria will assume the EUSDR Presidency in 2026, following Bosnia and Herzegovina.
