During the panel, State Secretary Štucin stressed the importance of energy security and macro-regional cooperation for greater energy independence. He also noted the significance of macro-regional cooperation for the candidate countries in the EU enlargement process, which is reflected in their successful presidencies of the macro-regional strategies. Macro-regional cooperation provides an opportunity for capacity building and the search for synergies in thematic areas of relevance to the enlargement process.

An important theme for macro-regional cooperation is this year's European Year of Skills, which coincides perfectly with the second thematic priority of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), namely "Knowledge society and professions of the future". In the context of last year's European Year of Youth, it is vital to recognise that the development of regions depends on the ability of current and future generations to meet the challenges and at the same time anticipate appropriate responses to them. To this end, the Slovenian Presidency of the EUSDR has devoted considerable attention to the expected transformation of societies, the role of knowledge and skills in these changed societies and the necessary adjustments, with a focus on the professions of the future.

In addition to the Strategy for the Danube Region, the EU has adopted three other macro-regional strategies: the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (current presidency held by Sweden), the Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (presidency held by Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the Strategy for the Alpine Region (presidency held by Switzerland).