The panel was moderated by Ms. Cristina Cileacu, journalist at DIGI 24 TV Station, Romania, and brought together key regional experts to examine the Danube’s strategic and economic significance in the broader context of Black Sea security and post-war reconstruction efforts. Speakers included Ms. Antonia Colibășanu, Senior Associate Expert at the New Strategy Center and Analyst at Geopolitical Futures; Mrs. Yulia Sirko, First Deputy Head of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee at the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine; Mr. Wilfried Jilge, Senior Adviser on Ukraine and the Wider Black Sea at the Stabilisation Platform, Germany (joining via video link); and Mr. Istvan Kiss, Executive Director of the Danube Institute, Hungary. The session concluded with final remarks by Ms. Katja Plate, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Offices in Romania.

The discussion emphasized the Danube as a vital corridor for NATO and EU military mobility and as a key trade route, especially given disruptions in the Black Sea due to Russia’s aggression. Romania and Ukraine’s rail and river connectivity were seen as essential to improving logistics and security in the region. Beyond its role in military mobility, the Danube was highlighted as a key trade corridor linking Europe to the Black Sea and beyond to Asia. Speakers stressed that the river’s full potential remains untapped due to critical infrastructure gaps. Unlocking this potential will require substantial investment to modernize ports, deepen waterways, and improve road and rail logistics. The Danube is also central to Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, offering a reliable route for exports and humanitarian aid, and promoting regional integration with Moldova and other neighbors. The panel concluded that the Danube is central to building resilience, enhancing regional connectivity, and securing the Black Sea as a space of cooperation.

Watch the live sessions on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/TPRhQCMWoc8?feature=share