Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the council, the European Economic ans Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies

Abstract

Since the European Council endorsed the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) in 2009,three further EU macro-regional strategies(MRS) have been developed: the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) in 2011,the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) in 2014and the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) in 2016.On 16 December 2016, the Commission adopted the first report on the implementation of MRS1which nowinvolve 19 EU and 8 non-EU countries. These MRS have become an integral part of the EU policy framework; they offer strong potential and contribute in a unique and innovative way to cooperation within the EU and with neighbouring countries.Subsequently, the Council2, the Committee of the Regions3and the European Parliament4also recognised the importance of the MRS as a unique integrated framework to address common challenges and as a relevant instrument for the optimal use of existing financial resources, especially in the globalisation context.