EU Strategy for the Alpine Region key to shaping sustainable solutions

In his address at the political panel, State Secretary Koprivc underlined that challenges such as climate change, circular economy, sustainable water management, and improving the quality of life remain key for the Alpine region. “Tackling climate change and environmental protection in harmony with economic progress is an international and intergenerational challenge that cannot be solved in one region alone. All regions in Europe are interconnected and need to work together in finding sustainable solutions," said Koprivc.

The EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) also plays an important role in addressing these challenges. According to Koprivec, the strategy enables effective cross-border cooperation that delivers concrete results. Slovenia and Italy have shown they can work together successfully in their candidacy for the European Capital of Culture 2025, which is an excellent example of cross-border cooperation and mutual understanding.

Looking ahead, State Secretary Koprivc stressed the need to further strengthen EU cohesion policy, which must remain strong and effective also beyond 2027. "For the region's sustainable development, it is crucial to link macro-regional priorities with cohesion policy, while strengthening cross-border cooperation and cooperation with non-EU countries," he said.

The EU's macro-regional strategies provide a framework for addressing common challenges in geographically rounded areas of Europe. Four EU strategies are in place, namely for the Alpine, Danube, Adriatic-Ionian and Baltic regions. Slovenia participates in the first three. The EU Strategy for the Alpine Region includes seven countries, namely Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and 48 regions.