A conference on the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR), organized by the Greek presidency and the European Commission, was held 6 and 7 February in Athens. Apart from numerous foreign ministers of participating countries, also attending the conference were the Greek prime minister and high representatives of the European Commission, Committee of the Regions and ECOSOC. Croatia was represented by Assistant Minister for European Affairs Hrvoje Marušic.
One of the key aims of the conference is to raise awareness about preparations for the new Strategy, to be adopted in the latter half of 2014.
Stimulating economic growth, reducing unemployment and social cohesion are the main challenges of the Adriatic-Ionian Region that were discussed today, as were the possible long-term and sustainable solutions of macro-regional perspective.
The Strategy is closely tied to the Greek presidency priorities for the first half of 2014, and those are growth, employment and cohesion, as well as to maritime policy as a theme that will horizontally influence the priorities of the EU presidency.
Marušic also attended a special meeting of the Adriatic-Ionian Council which gathered foreign minister of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative member states as well as the meeting of EUSAIR national contact points with European Commissioner Johannes Hahn. On the fringes of the plenary part of the conference, Marušic held talks with Montenegrin State Secretary and Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic.
Marušic also met with Director General of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) Thakos Dokos.
The second day of the conference parallel thematic workshops on four pillars of the new Strategy were held: driving innovative maritime and marine growth, connecting the region (transport and energy), preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment and increasing regional attractiveness (tourism).
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