11th EUSAIR Forum in Skopje Reaffirms Commitment to European Integration and Regional Cooperation
From 18 to 20 May 2026, Skopje hosted the 11th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR), gathering representatives of governments, European institutions, regional organisations, civil society, academia and youth from across the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
Held under the motto “Strengthening Regional Unity, Advancing the European Future”, the Forum represented an important opportunity to reaffirm the strategic relevance of regional cooperation and EU enlargement and integration in a rapidly evolving geopolitical context.
The Adriatic-Ionian Council / EUSAIR Ministerial Meeting and the Adoption of the Skopje Declaration
At the outset of the Forum, on 19 May, the Adriatic-Ionian Council / EUSAIR Ministerial Meeting took place, bringing together high-level representatives from participating countries and European institutions. At the conclusion of the meeting, the participating delegations adopted the Skopje Declaration, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation, advancing European integration and promoting stability and prosperity across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The discussion highlighted the continuing importance of both the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and EUSAIR as essential platforms for dialogue, regional cooperation and European integration. Participants stressed the strategic relevance of EU enlargement and gradual integration, especially in relation to the Western Balkans, while underlining the need to strengthen administrative capacities, governance systems and institutional resilience across the region.
Particular attention was devoted to territorial cohesion policies as fundamental tools for reducing disparities and fostering balanced development, as well as to connectivity, digital transformation and demographic challenges. Participants also emphasised the importance of safeguarding regional stability and security in the current international context, while reaffirming the key contribution of civil society and local communities to the success of macro-regional cooperation.
During the meeting, North Macedonia officially handed over the Presidency of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and EUSAIR to Italy, which will assume the role from 1 June 2026.
In his intervention, Italian Minister for European Affairs, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and Cohesion Policies, Tommaso Foti, underlined the importance of “territorial cohesion” as a fundamental political principle to reduce inequalities among territories and strengthen a concrete and citizen-oriented European integration process.
“The participation of the Western Balkans in the European Union is strongly supported by Italy,” Minister Foti stated. “It is an accession process awaited for many years and one that must finally find a concrete outcome, while recognising that important steps still need to be completed. At the same time, there is a shared willingness among all participants to feel fully part of the European project.”
“The enlargement to the Western Balkans,” he added, “is not merely a geographical issue, but a political one. It does not simply mean extending Europe’s borders, but rather redesigning Europe according to its natural historical configuration. The Western Balkans are not external to Europe nor an addition to it, but a significant component of it.”
Official Opening Session of the 11th EUSAIR Forum
The Ministerial Meeting was followed by the official Opening Session of the Forum, attended by more than 300 participants from across the Adriatic-Ionian region and beyond.
During the opening session, the Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, delivered a keynote address focused on the strategic importance of regional cooperation and EU enlargement at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Ambassador Castellaneta stressed that, in a period marked by fragmentation, international tensions and increasing pressure on multilateralism, regional organisations such as the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative can act as essential bridges between the European Union and candidate countries, between institutions and citizens, and among the different political realities of the region.
He reaffirmed that enlargement must be understood not as a merely technical process, but as a strategic and political investment in the future of Europe and in the reunification of the continent. At the same time, he warned against delays and uncertainties that risk weakening trust in the European project and opening space for destabilising external influences.
In this context, Ambassador Castellaneta highlighted the importance of gradual integration measures for the Western Balkans, including access to the EU Single Market, SEPA, roaming integration and improved border connectivity, while also stressing the need for reforms in governance, rule of law and public administration.
Connectivity and infrastructure development were identified as central priorities for the macro-region, particularly in relation to transport corridors, sustainable ports, energy links and digital infrastructure capable of reducing gaps between EU and non-EU countries.
A significant part of the speech was also dedicated to the role of civil society and the long-standing contribution of the Fora of Chambers of Commerce, Cities and Universities, which Ambassador Castellaneta described as essential pillars for building a genuine European spirit from the bottom up through concrete cooperation projects and people-to-people exchanges.
Finally, the Secretary General emphasised the importance of investing in youth, digital transformation, sustainable development, culture and tourism as strategic drivers for the future of the Adriatic-Ionian region.