(ANSA) - BUDVA, MAY 7 - The entrance of the Western Balkans
into the European Union will ride on cooperation with EU
countries and the growth of the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region. It
was the message sent today by European Commissioners for
Regional Policy and the Environment, Corina Cretu and Karmenu
Vella, at the fourth annual Eusair forum, taking place in the
Montenegrin town of Budva. "It is the first time that an EU
candidate country chairs a macro-regional strategy and the
presidency of Montenegro has been a success," Cretu said in a
video message, illustrating Brussels' willingness to "further
strengthen cooperation with countries neighbors." After the
first years of growth of the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region, the
current challenge for the 8 countries involved (Italy, Slovenia,
Croatia, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and
Serbia) is "to ensure that the macro-regional priorities guide
the projects of the cohesion policy for the next EU budget,"
Cretu explained.
Protection of the environment, blue economy, and tourism are
on the top of the priorities' list. "The focus on fisheries
shows that the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region has set itself the
right target," said Vella, explaining how the strategy is
focused on "promoting economic and social prosperity", and at
the same time, "is another signpost helping Montenegro and the
Western Balkans on their way towards EU membership".(ANSA).
© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved