EC Representation head Filote: Integrated territorial investments in Danube Delta priority for Romania, EU

The European Union wants the integrated territorial investments (ITI) programme in the Danube Delta to become a success model for other state, the head of the European Commission Representation in Romania Angela Filote says.

Speaking on Sunday in Tulcea (southeastern Romania), she said: 'The last thing I want to do is transmit priorities from the Commission. If you wish, the top priority is to have a real public debate, especially as this project situated in the Danube Delta is a project of the entire Romania and of the entire Europe.'

Filote attended the debate heading 'Sustainability of transportation and tourism along the Danube,' organized by the Ivan Patzaichin — Mila 23 Association within the 4th edition of Rowmania Fest, an event promoting durable development and tourism in the Danube Delta initiated by multiple Olympic and world canoeing champion Ivan Patzaichin.

The EC representative took the opportunity of underlining the importance of ITI for the Delta.

'It has been already decided that the first ITI project in Romania will be in the Danube Delta. We are talking about very large funds, with sources in all the EU policies that can support such a project to facilitate integrated development. It means we will deal with infrastructure, economic development, tourism development, environment protection and promoting crafts,' Filote declared.

She is visiting Tulcea between August 29 and September 1, within a series of regional visits to meet local authorities and inspect projects funded by the European Union. AGERPRES