Assistant Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Hrvoje Marušić attended the inauguration conference of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), organized by the Italian presidency, with the attendance of high representatives from the EUSAIR participating countries, European Commission, ECOSOC, European Parliament, Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and numerous other representatives. The EUSAIR gathers four member countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy and Slovenia) and four non-members (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia). The conference marks the onset of the EUSAIR implementation after it was confirmed at the European Council meeting in October 2014.
Stimulating economic growth, reducing unemployment, bigger economic and social cohesion, and EU integration of the Western Balkans are the main challenges of the Adriatic-Ionian Region discussed at the conference, along with the benefits of macroregional approach to said challenges.
“Implementing the new macroregional strategy will contribute to the common goal of the region’s sustainable development and employment,” Marušić said, adding it was paramount to take advantage of all the possibilities of macroregional cooperation in areas crucial for economic growth and prosperity of our citizens.
Asked about the region’s linking, Marušić said that the Strategy represented a platform for stimulating the development of transport infrastructure within the region and the EU. In that sense, the participating countries should use the EUSAIR to tackle the issue of lacking transport infrastructure, as well as linking the coast and the rural hinterland, with a positive impact on the attractiveness of the macroregion and economic activities in less developed areas.
“Croatia sees as special priorities a diversified and secure energy supply, better transport connectedness and further development of tourist attractions, with a special emphasis on the development of the Adriatic hinterland. The Strategy is important as a catalyst of the enlargement as well,” said the assistant minister.