The first Committee of Senior Official under Slovenian Chairmanship took place in Ljubljana on June 26.

The Programme of the activities of the Chairmanship and the AII Permanent Secretariat were presented together with the calendar of activities emphasizing the important role of the AII in the establishment of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic Ionian Macro-Region.

Furthermore, the Presidency gave an outlook over the present status of this process informing also about a letter by Commissioner Hahn in response to a message sent to him and other relevant Commissioners by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU member countries of the AII plus Croatia.

Finally, the Secretary General informed about the status of the Regional Cooperation Programme for co-financing cooperation projects among AII Participating States.

The second "Workshop on Maritime Affairs in the Adriatic Ionian Macro-Region" took place last 12th and 13th of June in Trieste.

The meeting had a wide audience of stakeholders and institutions. In particular it is to notice the participation of the Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Maria Damanaki (by means of a video message), of the Italian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Marta Dassù, the Slovenian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Igor Sencar, the Croatian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Josko Klisovic and the Secretary General of the AII, Amb. Fabio Pigliapoco.

The involved stakeholders presented their proposals on how to reap the benefits of maritime activities in terms of employment, sustainable growth, accessibility and better quality of life in coastal area and discussed about "blue growth", sustainable and secure maritime transport, protection of the marine environment and fisheries.

After a successful year of meetings and activities in all fields of interest of AII, the Serbian Presidency ended his term of duty on May 31st. On that occasion, Ambassador Duško Lopandić, Assistant Minister and AII National Coordinator, sent his colleagues the following message of greetings:

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday was the last day of the Serbian Presidency over the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative. On that occasion I would like to thank to all of you for cooperation and support in the past period.

It was really pleasure to work on issues of our common interest in the region. I believe that a significant level of cooperation among the AII Member States was achieved . It goes without saying that we will continue to participate actively in this important regional initiative.

I would like, in particular thank Secretary General Pigliapoco and his team for their efficient and professional help and collaboration with the Presidency.

Finally, I would like to wish to our colleagues from Slovenia a successful Chairmanship in the coming one-year period.

Best regards,

Dusko Lopandic

Assistant Minister

AII National Coordinator

The XII edition of the Adriatic Ionian Forum of Chambers of Commerce took place in Brindisi between the 6th and the 8th of June. The programme was developed in three days and the works were organized in 6 different round tables (Environment, Agriculture, Female Entrepreneurship, fishing, transports and tourism).

The main focus of this year's edition has been "The Role of the Forum for the establishment of the Adriatic Ionian Macro-Region".

The participation to the event was quite wide with the presence of representatives of the European Union, of the Governments, local institutions, chambers of commerce and experts from all Adriatic Ionian Countries.

The AII Permanent Secretariat participated to the event with its Secretary General, Amb. Fabio Pigliapoco.

The Final Declaration of the XII of the Adriatic Ionian Forum of Chambers of Commerce is attached.

After consultations among Senior Officials and in the spirit of offering  the opportunity to a larger  number of institutions from AII Countries to participate to the call, it has been decided - in agreement with all AII Participating States - to extend the deadline to present application for the Regional Cooperation Programme.

The new deadline is June 18, 2012.

The application should be sent:  

 

Please find HERE the documents for the application