IDM Danube-Salon Europa-Forum Wachau 2026
European Regions Fostering European Integration
On 19 May 2026, the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) hosted the IDM Danube Salon as part of the Europa-Forum Wachau 2026 at the University for Continuing Education Krems. Under the title “European Regions Fostering European Integration”, the event brought together representatives from Austria, Romania, and Ukraine to discuss the role of regions and cross-border cooperation in shaping the future of Europe.
Marking the 15th anniversary of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), the discussion focused on how regional initiatives have strengthened cooperation, dialogue, and development across borders over the past decade and a half. Participants also reflected on the future of European integration and the contribution regional actors can make to a resilient, connected, and forward-looking Europe — particularly in the context of Ukraine’s European perspective.
Opening remarks
The event opened with presentations by Simon Ortner, Secretary General of the Working Community of the Danube Regions (ARGE Donauländer) and Head of the Department of International and European Affairs of the Office of the State Government of Lower Austria, as well as Vadym Shkarivskyi, Deputy Chairman of the Odesa Regional Council and Chairman of the ARGE Donauländer for the 2026–2027 term. Both speakers highlighted the importance of long-standing regional partnerships and underlined the value of practical cooperation within the Danube region.
The event formed part of IDM’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation in Central and South Eastern Europe and was held in cooperation with the Europa-Forum Wachau and the Working Community of the Danube Regions (ARGE Donauländer).
Panel discussion
The subsequent panel discussion featured Martin Eichtinger, Director of the Diplomatic Academy Vienna; Harald Stranzl, National Coordinator of the EU Danube Region and EU Alpine Region Strategy at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs; Vadym Shkarivskyi, Deputy Chairman of the Odesa Regional Council and Chairman of the ARGE Donauländer for the 2026–2027 term; Răzvan Ștefan Rab, National Coordinator of the EUSDR at the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Sophia Beiter, Research Associate at IDM. The discussion was moderated by Sebastian Schäffer, Director of IDM.
Panelists emphasized that regional cooperation frameworks such as the EUSDR and ARGE Donauländer play an essential role in strengthening European cohesion by fostering trust, exchange, and joint solutions across borders. Particular attention was given to the integration of Ukraine and the importance of maintaining strong regional networks in times of geopolitical uncertainty.
Next Visionaries
It was a particular pleasure to welcome the Next Visionaries programme, recently recognised as Austria’s Best Youth Initiative within the framework of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize, led by Oleksandra Demianenko.
The discussion, in which the students participated, also highlighted the role of citizen engagement, local initiatives, and interregional partnerships in complementing European policies and bringing the European project closer to citizens. Speakers agreed that European integration must continue to be supported not only at the national and EU levels, but also through active cooperation among regions and local actors.
The IDM Danube Salon concluded with an informal reception in the foyer, offering participants the opportunity to continue discussions and strengthen connections within the Danube region network.