Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić participated earlier today at the Conference on the European Union’s Strategy for Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR), which took place in Brussels.
Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić underlined the importance of EUSAIR for Montenegro and the region as a whole. He emphasised that the Strategy is, in the context of the EU’s current priorities, of multiple importance for the countries still outside the EU, in the sense of their adoption of European values and standards on their paths towards the EU.
He noted as especially important the fact that the countries have identified shared priorities for cooperation and he was hopeful that EUSAIR will prove a good framework for improved cooperation locally, nationally, and regionally in the areas of maritime policy, environmental protection, tourism, fisheries, and others. In the context of Montenegro, Mr Lukšić noted EUSAIR priorities are compatible with the country’s model of growth. EUSAIR is a step forward towards ensuring the strategic development of the macro-region as a whole, Mr Lukšić has noted.
The main objective of EUSAIR is to promote economic and social prosperity and growth in the region by improving its attractiveness, competitiveness, and connections. Cooperation is envisaged to take place under four thematic pillars: blue growth, regional connectedness (transport and energy), preservation and promotion of the environment, and regional attractiveness (sustainable tourism). The cooperation will take place under “Research, innovation and SMEs development,” as well as “Capacity Building,” which are two cross-cutting aspects which will come across each and every pillar.
The conference was launched by Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, and it was hosted as part of Italy’s Presidency of the Council, in cooperation with the European Commission, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) and the Marche region which is presiding the AII inter-regional group at the Committee of the Regions.