Ukraine considers it necessary to cooperate with Austria and Hungary on preparation of the European Union's strategy for the Danube region.

The press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry announced this in a statement.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko met with Austria's Minister for European & International Affairs Michael Spindelegger during his visit to Austria on Saturday to discuss preparation of the European Union's strategy for the Danube region and its implementation as part of joint projects.

Hryschenko proposed considering cooperation on these issues in the Ukraine-Hungary-Austria format.

Spindelegger supported this proposal and said that this cooperation format was important.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn visited Ukraine in July to discuss the role of Ukraine in the drafting of the European Union's strategy for development of the Danube region.

The European Commission is due to present this strategy at the end of 2010, and Ukraine may propose its own draft of the strategy.