Brussels, 30/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the EU has adopted conclusions that back completion of the macro-regional strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian basin, based on the models of the Danube and Black Sea macro-strategies. The European Commission welcomed the support from European ministers which paves the way for the adoption of this macro-regional strategy by the European Council in October, said Italian Secretary of State for European Affairs Sandro Gozi after the General Affairs Council on Monday 29 September. The official launch is expected to take place in Brussels on 18 November. This strategy is one of the priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU, given that the country will be a stakeholder in this strategy, together with Slovenia, Croatia, Greece and a number of third countries such as Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. It involves coastal regions in these countries improving the way in which they work together, in order to tackle common problems, such as those linked to the environment or tourism. The strategy for the Alpine macro-region is expected to be proposed in the middle of next year (communication and action plan) and the official launch in a year's time. (MD)