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The first official visit of the Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII), Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, to the Republic of San Marino took place on November 6th, at Palazzo Begni. The Secretary General was welcomed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Luca Beccari, together with the AII Senior Official for San Marino, Silvia Marchetti, and other representatives of the Secretariat of State.
The meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange views on San Marino’s role within the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and its contribution to the wider European integration process. Discussions focused on the principles of regional cohesion, connectivity and cooperation, as well as on the added value that countries with specific institutional features can bring to building a more connected and resilient Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
Secretary General Castellaneta expressed appreciation for the path undertaken by San Marino, which joined the AII in 2019 and became part of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) in 2022. He commended the Republic’s active and respected engagement within the regional framework and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s readiness to closely cooperate in view of the future San Marino Chairmanship of the AII (2028–2029) — a milestone that will further strengthen the country’s international role.
During the meeting, Ambassador Castellaneta also welcomed the imminent conclusion of the Association Agreement between San Marino and the European Union, describing it as a crucial step towards deeper integration into the European framework and enhanced participation in EU programmes and funding mechanisms.
Secretary of State Luca Beccari stressed that the meeting “has further strengthened a framework aimed at promoting regional cohesion and recognising the unique contribution of States united by common values of cooperation, dialogue and solidarity.”
Following the talks at Palazzo Begni, the Secretary General and his delegation were received in audience by the Captains Regent, Matteo Rossi and Lorenzo Bugli, at Palazzo Pubblico, where he signed the Book of Distinguished Guests. The Heads of State stressed that “only through integration, territorial cohesion and collaboration can we face the global challenges and transformations of our time with awareness and responsibility.”
The visit confirmed San Marino’s commitment to reinforcing its engagement within the Adriatic-Ionian framework and to contributing actively to the construction of a more inclusive, cooperative and united Europe.
Under the framework of the Adriatic–Ionian Initiative (AII) Chairmanship of North Macedonia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia in cooperation with the AII Permanent Secretariat will organise a Round Table entitled:
“The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: Dialogue with the Western Balkans on Implementation and Regional Implications”
The event will bring together representatives of the European Commission, EU Agencies, national administrations, and regional organisations to discuss the forthcoming implementation of the EU Pact and its expected impact on migration governance and cooperation in the Western Balkans.
Discussions will focus on the main provisions of the Pact, its implications for national asylum systems, and the opportunities it offers for enhanced regional dialogue, legal migration pathways, and coordinated border management.
This initiative also reflects the Chairmanship’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and policy convergence with the European Union on key strategic challenges.
Further details, including the agenda and list of speakers, will be shared soon.
🗓️ Date: 18 November 2025
📍 Venue: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje
On 29–30 September 2025, the CIHEAM Bari Campus hosted the international workshop “Sustainable and Innovative Food Systems: The Mediterranean Diet as a Tool for Tourism and Local Development in EUSAIR Communities”, organized by the EUSAIR Presidency of North Macedonia, CIHEAM Bari, DG REGIO, and the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Platform (EGP), in cooperation with DG AGRI, DG GROW and DG MOVE.
The first meeting of the AII Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) under the Chairmanship of the Republic of North Macedonia took place in Skopje on 21 October 2025, chaired by Ms. Tina Djepovska, Head of Unit at the Directorate for European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia, with the assistance of Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, AII Secretary General.
During the meeting, the programme and priorities of the AII Chairmanship of North Macedonia (June 2025 – May 2026) were presented under the motto “Strengthening regional unity, advancing the European future.” The priorities focus on:
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Enhancing European integration and regional cooperation,
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Promoting human digital transformation,
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Strengthening connectivity and infrastructural development,
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Cultural regional cooperation and protection of cultural heritage, and
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Youth and demographic challenges.
The calendar of upcoming events was also presented, including a Round Table on migration, to be held in Skopje in November 2025, as well as two additional round tables foreseen in 2026 focusing on enlargement and youth & digitalisation.
The AII Permanent Secretariat presented its Programme of Activities, confirming its full support to the Chairmanship and its commitment to strengthen cooperation with the Adriatic and Ionian Fora and to foster the involvement of civil society and stakeholders in the Adriatic–Ionian region.
Senior Officials were updated on the main recent events organised with the support of the AII Permanent Secretariat, including the 25th Anniversary of the Ancona Declaration held on 27 June 2025 in Ancona, which marked a milestone in reaffirming the Initiative’s role in promoting regional cooperation and European integration. The Adriatic Mediterranean Festival (Ancona, 25–30 August 2025) was also recalled, celebrating the culture of the Adriatic–Ionian region and dedicated this year to North Macedonia, the current AII Chairmanship country.
Finally, Senior Officials were informed about Cyprus’s formal request to join the Adriatic Ionian Initiative, currently under discussion among participating countries.
The AII Secretary General, Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, reported on the outcomes of the meeting to the 25th EUSAIR Governing Board held the following day in Skopje.
In the framework of the XXV General Assembly of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Cities (FAIC), the international conference “The Development of the Adriatic-Ionian Area between Sustainability, Blue Economy and Culture” was held at the Aurum Cultural and Congress Centre in Pescara. The event brought together mayors, institutional representatives, academics and stakeholders from across the Adriatic-Ionian Region to discuss shared strategies for sustainable growth, blue economy opportunities and cultural cooperation.