Brussels, 12/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Committee of the Regions (CoR) has adopted a proactive attitude in suggesting that the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region be included in the priorities of the next programming period for EU funds. This would give the macro-region instruments for dealing with shared interests, such as protection of the marine environment, sustainable management of fish stocks, security, etc. The call was contained in the opinion by Gian Mario Spacca, which drew on similar strategies for the Danube and Baltic Sea. The opinion was adopted by the CoR meeting in plenary session in Brussels on Tuesday 11 October. The Adriatic-Ionian macro-region extends over several member states, applicant countries and potential applicants. Thus a strategy would be an advantage for cohesion policy and the pre-accession process. So that this macro-region can be taken into consideration in the next cohesion policy 2014-20, CoR President Mercedes Bresso called for “an inter-institutional working group on the Adriatic-Ionian region comprising the Commission, the European Parliament and the countries concerned to be set up as soon as possible in order to begin concrete work in this strategic area”. (MD/transl.rt)