The 6th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) started today focusing on a green and smart recovery. Prior to the official opening, Ministers of the nine participating countries adopted the ‘Izola Declaration’, laying the foundations for a more resilient and sustainable Adriatic-Ionian Region.

“The adoption of the Izola Declaration will lead the way towards a green and digital recovery and will further facilitate the enlargement process of our close neighbours in the Western Balkans,” said EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira. Ferreira added that EUSAIR plays an important role in increasing multi-level regional cooperation, resolving bilateral issues, bringing stability and fostering EU integration.

The EUSAIR, launched in October 2014, covers a macro-region of more than 70 million people in four EU Member States (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia) and five countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) cooperating to overcome common challenges in four pillars: Blue Growth, Connecting the Region (Transport and Energy), Environmental Quality and Sustainable Tourism. See the programme for more details of the 6^th Annual Forum that takes place over two days.