The first Governing Board (GB) of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was held in Ancona on 22 and 23 January.

The two days' event marked the beginning of the implementation phase of the EUSAIR.

The representatives of the eight participating States , together with the representatives of the EU Commission and of other Institutions represented in the GB , focused on the governance of the Strategy , with particular emphasis on the Rules of procedures of the Governing Board and of the Thematic Steering Groups . They also tackled the issue of an increased involvement of civil society and stakeholders during the implementation phase of the Strategy.

Other items as : general criteria for the inclusion of projects and actions in the Action plan ; communication and publicity of the EUSAIR ; calendar of the Steering Groups meetings ; GB Annual Forum ,were high on the Agenda.

The intergovernmental body of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative ( Committee of Senior Officials ) met in the margins of the Governing Board in the afternoon of Thursday 22 January.

The main item of the Agenda ( overhaul of the AII Round Tables with a view to align them with the EUSAIR activities ) was thoroughly discussed by the representatives of the Eight Ministries of Foreign Affairs at the presence of a representative of the European Commission.