State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić on Wednesday participated in a virtual ministerial meeting of the Adriatic-Ionian Council (AIC) and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR).
The participants included foreign ministers and other high representatives of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) and EUSAIR member countries.
The meeting focused on the challenges posed by COVID-19 in the Adriatic-Ionian region and the post-pandemic recovery plans.
Metelko-Zgombić underscored the importance of regional cooperation in combating the negative effects of the pandemic. She reflected on the achievements of the Croatian Presidency, notably the decision to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia, as well as the success of the Zagreb Summit, which had brought together heads of EU member states and six Western Balkan countries. The summit underlined the EU’s commitment to European path of the Western Balkan countries as well as to their political, economic and social transformation. “The Zagreb Summit sent a message of unity and solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Metelko-Zgombić.
The participants emphasized that solidarity and joint action during the pandemic should remain high on the AII agenda.
This meeting was the last event in Serbia’s AII/EUSAIR presidency. From 1 June 2020 until 31 May 2021, the presidency will be taken over by Slovenia.