Brussels, 18/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - Building on the experiences of the Danube and Baltic Sea Regions, the Adriatic-Ionian bassin will have its own macro-regional strategy involving eight European and non-EU countries. In this connection, the European Commission presented its strategy and action plan on Wednesday 18 June. Macedonia/FYROM is the main absentee from this Adriatic-Ionian macro-regional strategy.
One strategy, eight countries. The Commission presented a communication and action plan for setting up this strategy. It will bring together Italy, Greece, Slovenia and Croatia, as EU member states, in addition to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, as non-EU states. These regions and countries will pool their efforts, particularly in the area of the maritime economy, given that the Adriatic-Ionian basin is the cement that binds this macro-region. This region faces a number of maritime challenges that no single country can address on its own (overfishing, pollution, congestion, seasonal tourism), stated European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs Maria Damanaki, who said that “the only way that makes sense to tackle these issues is the united, coherent way”.
Macedonia/FYROM. Nonetheless, the map of the future Adriatic-Ionian region does not feature Macedonia/FYROM. Commissioner Damanaki admitted that the relationship between the EU and this country is a sensitive issue but that it deserves to be treated at a foreign affairs level and not through the macro-regional strategy. European Commissioner for Regional Development Johannes Hahn explained this absence was due to the fact that the strategy is devised by the member states themselves (which chose the regions that should be part of the macro-region). He also explained, however, that the macro-region is not set in stone and that members could change.
Four “blue” pillars. In an effort to promote a results-oriented approach, the Commission has limited the strategy to four action areas, contrary to other strategies that juggle with more than ten or so different priorities. These four pillars will be guided by two different countries: one from EU member states and the other from among the third countries. The “blue growth” pillar (fish stock management and land management and planning) will be managed by Greece and Montenegro, the “transport and energy network connectivity” by Italy and Serbia, the environmental pillar by Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and finally, the “sustainable tourism” pillar by Croatia and Albania.
Non-diplomatic approach. Each of the different ministers responsible for these issues in these countries will appoint a coordinator to take responsibility for setting up the action plan. This coordinator will oversee the most advanced projects that can be concluded within the strategy and the Commission will primarily play the role of facilitator. Commissioner Hahn emphasised that this is not a diplomatic exercise “when ministers meet once a year”.
Funding. No release of subsidies is planned for implementing the strategy. It is more likely to be funded from European structural and pre-accession funds. Hahn said that there is no danger of this funding drying up because these countries really did have to confront fund absorption problems and the strategy would therefore, on the contrary, help them overcome this problem.
Italian priority. The Council and the Parliament will have to approve this macro-strategy and the Council could be informed about it on Monday 26 June, at the General Affairs Council. During the second half of this year, the Italian Presidency is planning on working towards the adoption of this strategy as soon as possible. In a best case scenario, the strategy could be operational from the beginning of 2015. (MD)