The DTP Joint Secretariat took part in the Expert Workshop “MACRO REGIONAL STRATEGIES AND MOUNTAIN DIMENSION - From the Carpathian Convention to other European Mountain ranges, prospects, challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation” that took place in Brussels on November 25th, 2015.

The workshop aimed at discussing the cooperation between the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and the Carpathian Convention as, with the exception of Polish Carpathians, the mountain range is located within the Danube Region. Thus strengthening synergies between the Carpathian Convention and EUSDR, avoiding overlaps and possibly including Poland as a partner of EUSDR on specific Carpathian related topics, seemed to be the most efficient way forward. Beside the better integration of the mountain issues into the EUSDR, it is also considered crucial to enhance the possibilities for inclusive transboundary cooperation of stakeholders from all the Carpathian countries in relevant financial instruments, such as the Danube Transnational Programme. The workshop discussed on options on how to best ensure a close cooperation, in particular through a Danube - Carpathian collaboration mechanism as well as through a memorandum of understanding which is planned to be signed between the Carpathian Convention and the relevant priority areas of the Danube Strategy and its implementation overviewed by the Danube – Carpathian collaboration mechanism, with the support of the Danube Strategy Point.