Brand new EU macro-regional strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian in Athens close to take off - Hoofdinhoud

From 6-7 February a high-level Stakeholder Conference will take place in Athens to further advance the new macro-regional strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian. The conference is hosted by the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission. At the Conference, Commissioner Johannes Hahn for Regional Policy and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki are joining Foreign Ministers from the countries involved (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro). Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of Greece, will open the conference. More than 500 representatives from the national, regional and local administrations, businesses, civil society, academia, media and regional associations will be contributing to the discussions in the conference.

The conference marks the end of a wide consultation (September-December 2013) that has involved civil society and stakeholder across the 8 countries. This will feed into a former proposal later this year from Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn, for a tailor made strategy that reflects the needs and the capacities of the region. It follows a request from EU leaders in December 2012 to deliver the new macro-regional strategy by the end of 2014.

This is the first time in a macro-regional strategy that there has been an equal balance of EU countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia) and non-EU-Countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia) working to meet common challenges and build on shared strengths. Crucially in a region that has seen some of Europe's most serious conflicts, the strategy will help to bring the Western Balkans closer to the European Union.

The Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, adopted by the Commission on 30 November 2012, is integrated in the Strategy which will be structured around four key areas: marine and maritime growth, connecting the region (transport and energy networks), environmental quality and sustainable tourism.

The European Council of 13-14 December 2012 formally requested the European Commission to bring forward an EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region before the end of 2014, building on the positive experiences of the Danube and Baltic Sea regions. These strategies are supported through Member States' regional funding allocation under Cohesion Policy. In the case of non-EU members, pre-accession funds (IPA) are available.

6-7 February: Stakeholder Conference in Athens

A press release will be available on 5 February

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  Available on EbS

Towards an EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region:

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperate/adriat_ionian/index_en.cfm

Stakeholder Conference on the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region:

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperate/adriat_ionian/index_en.cfm#2

Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas:

http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/sea_basins/adriatic_ionian/documents/com_2012_713_en.pdf

Twitter: @EU_Regional @JHahnEU #EUSAIR

Shirin Wheeler +32 2 29 665 65 shirin.wheeler@ec.europa.eu

Annemarie Huber +32 2 29 933 10 annemarie.huber@ec.europa.eu

Reference information

Reference information