Brussels, 24/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - The strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region was endorsed by EU heads of state and government on Thursday 23 October. This macro-region brings together four member states (Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Greece) and four non-member states (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia) and has a population of 70 million. The eight countries will pool their efforts to resolve common problems they face with regard to blue growth, connectivity, the environment and sustainable tourism. The strategy approved on Thursday is similar to those for the Danube and the Baltic Sea macro-regions though, building on the lessons of the previous two, offers an improved version with a more limited scope.
European Regional Development Commissioner Johannes Hahn, whose term of office is coming to an end, sees Council approval as an important milestone. “The aim is to tackle common problems together and make the most of the opportunities we share with our partners in the Western Balkans”, he stated, persuaded that the success of the strategy will “contribute to the prosperity and security of Europe as a whole”. He called on the stakeholders, regions and national ministries to assume their responsibilities and to “work together to translate the strategy into results”. The countries are currently identifying the national and sectoral coordinators. A launch conference will take place in Brussels on 18 November. (MD)