Co-operation in the Lower Danube Basin
by Radoje Zečević, Ph.D. [1]
article presented at the XII International Conference "Danube - River of Cooperation" (October, 11-14 2001) and published in Danubius 1-2/2001
Vast opportunities the Danube offers should be rationally taken and it would be in the interest of all peoples who live in this region. The use of force is still present in international relations, while the principle of common exploitation and protection of natural resources has not yet been generally accepted. Therefore, under the existing circumstances it would be necessary to search for a possibility to include the underdeveloped parts of the Danube region in the Danube-basin co-operation within the process of sustainable development.
The underdeveloped area of the Danube basin involves the countries of the lower Danube basin. These countries have many common problems, but also some common interests. Striving to join the developed part of the continent as rapidly as they can these countries could face the danger to have their natural resources exploited in the way that would disregard the requirements for sustainable exploitation of natural resources. They need foreign capital but only under the condition to retain control over exploitation in the way that would protect their long-term national interests, this including above all, preservation of natural resources for the future generations, too.
The Danube, as a common natural resource connects all these countries. This river is a skeleton for establishment of a narrow regional co-operation at the beginning of the 21st century. FR Yugoslavia is especially interested for establishment of such a co-operation.
Taking into consideration the Danube's tributaries as well as the fact that it is connected with the North Sea by the Main-Danube Canal while it is planned to connect it with the Adriatic and Aegean Seas in the distant future, it can be concluded that this river would be for all times the most significant natural resource of the countries belonging to the lower Danube basin.
There are various kinds of natural resources in the lower Danube basin. Apart from ores, waters and fertile soil one should also keep in mind the scenery as a base for development of tourism as well as its geographic position that enables to establish strategically important lines of communication through this area.
A long-term objective of the countries of the lower Danube-basin is certainly to reach the degree of development of the upper part of the Danube basin. But the first thing these countries should do is to strengthen their mutual economic relations, improve their intra-regional co-operation, thus creating a more solid basis for fulfilment of their expectations to become equal members of the united Europe.
During the process of development of co-operation in the Danube basin one of the stages could be to establish the zone of preferential trade. Such form enables to create the most favourable framework for development of co-operation in their mutual trade, this including some related fields that encourage promotion of trade. That practically means that the preferential zone of trade could involve co-operation in the fields of industry, agriculture, traffic and communications, mutual payments, science and technology, etc.
[1] Senior research fellow at the Institute of International Politics and Economics
Address: Makedonska 25, 11000 Belgrade, SCG
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