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On 4 March 2026, the meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) took place in Ohrid, under the Chairmanship of North Macedonia, bringing together representatives of participating countries and the AII Permanent Secretariat.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress of the Chairmanship’s programme and to exchange views on the main activities carried out in recent months in support of regional cooperation and the European integration of the Western Balkans. Among the initiatives highlighted were high-level discussions on migration governance and cooperation with regional organisations, as well as activities promoting academic mobility and youth engagement across the Adriatic-Ionian area.
Senior Officials were informed that the drafting process of the annual AII/EUSAIR Ministerial Declaration has started in view of the forthcoming Adriatic-Ionian Council. As in previous years, the document will reflect the “double-hat” nature of the governance of the Adriatic-Ionian region, ensuring coherence between the intergovernmental dimension of the AII and the macro-regional framework of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR).
Participants were also updated on the preparations for the XX Conference of the Presidents/Speakers of AII Parliaments, which will take place in Skopje on 23–24 April 2026. The Conference will focus on two main themes: promoting peace and stability through parliamentary diplomacy and strengthening regional connectivity, with particular attention to the development of Corridors VIII and X.
During the meeting, delegations also discussed the future order of AII Chairmanships, in light of recent developments within the EUSAIR framework, with the aim of maintaining coherence and alignment between the two governance systems.
Delegations were further informed about the current state of play regarding the request submitted by Cyprus to join the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and EUSAIR.
The CSO confirmed the continued commitment of participating countries to strengthening political dialogue, regional connectivity and cooperation within the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
The minutes of the meeting will be circulated to delegations in due course.
On the margins of the CSO, the 26th Governing Board Meeting of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was also held in Ohrid on 4–5 March. On that occasion, Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, reported to the Governing Board on the main outcomes of the discussions held within the CSO framework.
On 27 February 2026, Ambassador Castellaneta, Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, took part in the event “Ports at the core of an Adriatic-Ionian Region: cooperation and competitiveness towards the sustainable transition”, hosted by the Central Adriatic Sea Port Authority in Ancona.
The one-day meeting brought together representatives of the International Maritime Organization, the European Commission, the European Parliament, port authorities and key stakeholders from the maritime and logistics sectors to discuss the implications of the Mediterranean Sea’s designation as an Emission Control Area (ECA), as well as the strategic role of ports as hubs for energy transition, competitiveness and intermodal connectivity across the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
In his remarks, Ambassador Castellaneta underlined that ports are not merely infrastructures, but true “gates of Europe”: economic, energy and cultural connectors linking countries, markets and communities. Strengthening transport corridors, enhancing intermodality and advancing environmental sustainability, he stressed, means building the concrete foundations for deeper and more credible European integration, particularly for the Western Balkans. Physical connections, he noted, often anticipate and accompany political ones.
The Secretary General also recalled the 25th anniversary of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, celebrated last June in Ancona, describing it as an important milestone to reflect on the achievements of the past twenty-five years and to further strengthen the Initiative’s long-term commitment to cooperation in the Region.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Castellaneta outlined the upcoming milestones of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative calendar: the meeting of Senior Officials in Ohrid (4–5 March), the annual Conference of Speakers of Parliament in April – which will focus in particular on the development of corridors VIII and X – and the Ministerial Meeting at the end of May, marking the conclusion of the North Macedonian Presidency and the beginning of the Italian Presidency of the Initiative.
Reaffirming that European integration remains the Initiative’s guiding star, Ambassador Castellaneta highlighted that enhanced port cooperation and connectivity are not only drivers of sustainable growth, but also essential instruments to consolidate the European perspective of the Adriatic-Ionian Region.
The Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) Permanent Secretariat took part in the 19th Coordination Meeting of Regional Organisations, hosted on 4 December by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) at its Secretariat in Sarajevo. The meeting gathered Secretaries General and senior representatives of the RCC, CEI, BSEC and AII to discuss how smarter, more resilient and sustainable connectivity can foster inclusive economic development and strengthen regional cooperation across South-East Europe.
The meeting opened with introductory remarks by Amer Kapetanović, RCC Secretary General; Giovanni Castellaneta, Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII); Lazăr Comănescu, Secretary General of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC); and Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI).
Alongside delegations of RCC, CEI, BSEC and AII, the meeting also gathered representatives of the Sofia Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), the World Bank, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairmanship of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR). Discussions focused on the theme “Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Connectivity among the Regions: Enhancing sustainable and inclusive economic development for resilience through connectivity among the regions and regional cooperation.”
In his remarks, AII Secretary General Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta highlighted the centrality of connectivity to the AII’s mission, recalling the Initiative’s role in promoting political dialogue, regional stability and economic cooperation across a space linking EU Member States, the Western Balkans and the wider Mediterranean. He underlined the importance of strengthening transport, energy and digital links, advancing people-to-people mobility, and supporting the European integration process of the Western Balkans. Ambassador Castellaneta also reiterated the AII’s commitment to closer coordination with other regional frameworks, building on existing cooperation instruments such as the AII–CEI Memorandum of Understanding and the Letter of Intent with BSEC.
During the tour de table, delegations exchanged insights on strategic priorities, ongoing transformation agendas and future coordination needs. Participants discussed opportunities for joint analytical work, possible project-based cooperation, enhanced visibility actions, and structured mechanisms to reduce duplication and deliver greater impact across the region.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong commitment of all participating organisations to deepen cooperation, strengthen resilience and advance a more connected, competitive and sustainable South-East Europe. The AII reiterated its readiness to contribute actively to joint efforts, including in areas such as transport and energy connectivity, youth and academic cooperation, environmental resilience and digital transformation.
The next Coordination Meeting of Regional Organisations will be hosted by the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
The Adriatic Ionian Initiative expresses its profound sadness at the passing of Ambassador Fabio Pigliapoco.
During his years of service, both as Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and later as Head of its Permanent Secretariat, based in Ancona, Ambassador Pigliapoco devoted his work to strengthening cooperation, cohesion and mutual understanding across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
Throughout his professional life, he worked tirelessly to promote a prosperous, stable and cohesive Adriatic-Ionian area, firmly believing in dialogue as the primary tool to foster peace, trust and cooperation among countries. He distinguished himself for his ability to build bridges between institutions and nations, encouraging constructive dialogue and a long-term vision for the region.
A strong advocate of European integration, Ambassador Pigliapoco consistently supported the European perspective of the Western Balkans, viewing enlargement not only as a strategic priority, but also as a moral and political responsibility for the future of Europe.
Beyond his institutional roles, he will be remembered as a man of high values, integrity and profound humanity, who left a lasting mark on the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and on all those who had the privilege to work with him.
The Adriatic-Ionian Initiative extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
L’Iniziativa Adriatico Ionica esprime il proprio profondo cordoglio per la scomparsa dell’Ambasciatore Fabio Pigliapoco.
Nel corso degli anni, sia nel ruolo di Segretario Generale dell’Iniziativa Adriatico-Ionica sia successivamente come Capo del Segretariato Permanente, con sede ad Ancona, l’Ambasciatore Pigliapoco ha dedicato il proprio impegno al rafforzamento della cooperazione, della coesione e della comprensione reciproca nella regione adriatico-ionica.
Nel corso della sua vita professionale ha lavorato instancabilmente per promuovere un’area adriatico-ionica prospera, stabile e coesa, credendo fermamente nel dialogo come principale strumento per favorire la pace, la fiducia e la cooperazione tra i Paesi. Si è distinto per la sua capacità di costruire ponti tra istituzioni e nazioni, incoraggiando un dialogo costruttivo e una visione di lungo periodo per la regione.
Convinto sostenitore dell’integrazione europea, l’Ambasciatore Pigliapoco ha costantemente supportato la prospettiva europea dei Balcani occidentali, considerandone l’allargamento non solo una priorità strategica, ma anche una responsabilità morale e politica per il futuro dell’Europa.
Oltre ai ruoli istituzionali ricoperti, sarà ricordato come un uomo di grandi valori, integrità e profonda umanità, che ha lasciato un segno duraturo nell’Iniziativa Adriatico-Ionica e in tutti coloro che hanno avuto il privilegio di lavorare con lui.
L’Iniziativa Adriatico-Ionica rivolge le più sentite condoglianze alla sua famiglia e ai suoi cari.
On 25 November 2025, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative Permanent Secretariat took part in the first edition of the Western Balkans Promotion Fair, organised by UniAdrion – the Association of Universities of the Adriatic-Ionian Region – and hosted by the Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM) in Ancona. The event gathered more than 20 universities from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia, together with students engaged in Erasmus+ mobility across the macro-region. Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to join country-focused sessions, visit information stands, exchange with peers, and explore new opportunities for mobility and academic cooperation.
The Fair opened with institutional remarks delivered first by the UNIVPM Vice-Rector, who welcomed participants and underlined the university’s strong commitment to fostering international cooperation. This was followed by an address from Prof. Aleksander Ivanov, Vice-Rector of the University “St. Kliment Ohridski” of Bitola, who stressed the importance of mobility programmes for the Western Balkans and for advancing the region’s European perspective. Ms. Eleonora Tramannoni, Secretary General of the Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce, then highlighted the role of the business sector and the value of developing cross-border skills. Finally, Ms. Ava Ghasemi, President of ESN Student Network, emphasised the crucial contribution of Erasmus+ exchanges in promoting inclusion, youth engagement and intercultural understanding.
Representing the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, Executive Officer Filippo Alabardi delivered the institutional greetings on behalf of the AII Secretariat. In his address, he recalled the mission of the Initiative and underlined its long-standing partnership with UniAdrion and the academic community. He noted several concrete achievements resulting from this cooperation, such as AII-supported scholarships for students from participating countries, the establishment of the Adriatic Ionian Cooperation Chair at UNIVPM, and the Western Balkanships mobility programme implemented with UniAdrion and the Forum of Chambers of Commerce, which has enabled students to undertake internships across the region. These initiatives, he affirmed, reflect a shared conviction that supporting youth, education and mobility is essential for building a more connected and forward-looking Adriatic-Ionian Region.
Mr. Alabardi also recalled the upcoming AII Annual Round Table on Inter-University Cooperation, to be held on 4 December 2025 at the University “St. Kliment Ohridski” of Bitola under the AII Chairmanship of North Macedonia. He also welcomed the significant contribution of universities, cities and chambers of commerce in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR).. The AII expresses its appreciation to UniAdrion, UNIVPM, the participating universities and student organisations for the successful organisation of this edition of the Western Balkans Promotion Fair and looks forward to continuing to support initiatives that bring together young people, academic institutions and stakeholders across the Region.