EUSAIR
European Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region
The preparation of a European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was agreed in Brussels on 19 November 2012, at a meeting of Regional Policy Commissioner Mr. Hahn and the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States Greece, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia and the neighbouring countries, candidate/potential candidate countries of the Western Balkans, namely Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These eight countries are members of the Adriatic Ionian Initiative.
The European Council endorsed the decision in December 2012 and invited the European Commission to present its strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region in 2014.
The overall objective of the EUSAIR is to promote economic and social prosperity through blue growth, and to create growth and jobs in the Adriatic and Ionian region, in particular by improving the attractiveness, competitiveness and connectivity of the regions participating in the Strategy. The Strategy is also expected to contribute to the European integration of the Western Balkan countries.
The EUSAIR Strategy focuses on the Adriatic Sea basin and the Ionian Sea and focuses on issues of common interest to the regions of the countries in the region, whether these relate to challenges and opportunities in the area covered by the Strategy, or they are called upon to address common problems and threats in the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. The Strategy is based on the following four pillars:
- (a) promoting innovative marine development (blue growth, aquaculture, research and technology for the blue economy)
- (b) connectivity of the region, both by sea routes and rural and hinterland areas with coastal areas, networks and energy issues
- (c) preserving, protecting and improving the environment through the rational use of natural resources and the protection and conservation of the ecosystems of the area; and
- d) increasing the attractiveness of the region by promoting alternative forms of tourism, protecting and promoting the cultural heritage of the region and shaping a common branding of the macro-region.
Cross-cutting issues include research and innovation combined with the development of SMEs and capacity building.
In this context, the actions of O.L.P.A. aim at strengthening an extroverted cooperation policy with similar ports of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea and other ports in the maritime artery of South-Eastern Europe on port industry issues, as the creation of the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-Region will create regional and inter-regional cooperation with multiplier effects on regional and local development.