(ANSA) - ANCONA, 20 DEC - Ancona has kept the Secretariat of the Adriatic and Ionian Forum. This was confirmed by the 16th Plenary Session, held in Pescara on December 12 and 13, which focused on the theme ''The projects and governance of the strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region and the commitment of the cities which take part in the Forum''. Regional Councillor for International Relations Ida Simonella has just announced that the goal now is to strengthen the Secretariat, by recognizing the Forum's legal personality. ''The Plenary meeting - underlined Simonella, who is also coordinator of the Observatory on maritime traffic in the Adriatic-Ionian Region - has already replaced their board of direction. As for the Presidency, there was a handover from the city of Pescara to Kotor, Montenegro. Brindisi was appointed the deputy president and Ancona has kept the secretariat''. Even Vasto joined the Forum. ''Now - Simonella added - there will be a change of pace. The Forum has brought grist to water to Adriatic-Ionian macro-region's mill, now this must be turned into concrete actions. 90 million euros are available for projects that may have a positive effect on AIMR. We have a Bureau that deals with programming of European funds, let's make it work also for the Secretariat of the Forum. Anyway, in order to be able to directly access the resources, first we need to recognize the Forum's legal personality''. (ANSA).