The President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIR), Mihai Daraban, took part in an official meeting with Austria’s Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, on October 13. The meeting was held at the Austrian Embassy in Bucharest and also included Oana-Silvia Țoiu, Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
During the event, Daraban spoke about the need to develop transport on the Danube River. He said, “Romania, Serbia, and Austria are the most interested in developing this transport corridor, but it is essential to bring all Danubian countries to the discussion table. We must learn from the Rhine’s example and make the Danube a navigable artery 365 days a year. Practically, we must transform the Danube into a true ‘highway.’ The largest convoy on the Danube can transport approximately 12,000 tons of goods—capacity equivalent to dozens of trucks or train wagons. This is a major competitive advantage that we must exploit to the maximum. In the context of Ukraine’s reconstruction, the development of Danubian infrastructure becomes even more relevant for ensuring safe and efficient transport routes. It is a strategic opportunity that we must not miss.”
Addressing Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts, Meinl-Reisinger stated that this work is “a strategic priority for Austria and a major cooperation opportunity with Romania. Your country plays a crucial logistical role in this process, serving as a strategic hub for access to Ukraine, either through the Danube or through the Black Sea. Therefore, our bilateral cooperation is more important than ever. We must be clear: the reconstruction effort cannot be sustained exclusively by European taxpayers. We need active involvement from the private sector. This is not just a fiscal necessity, but also a significant economic opportunity for companies from both countries. Together, Austria and Romania can play a decisive role in the reconstruction and future development of Ukraine.”
The discussions highlighted both countries’ interest in expanding regional transport links and underlined their commitment to working together on projects related to Ukraine’s recovery.