(ANSA) - BRUSSELS - The European Commission adopted the new cross-border cooperation programme for Italy, Montenegro and Albania, worth nearly 93 million euros, with almost 79 million euros coming from the European Regional Development Fund and the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).

The initiative, which is in line with the EU Strategy for the Adriatic Ionian Region (EUSAIR), "is a perfect example of how the EU mobilises its resources to bring candidate countries closer to the EU. Our Interreg programmes are known to be real European success stories, as they create a real sense of solidarity and belonging beyond borders" the EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu, said. "This new cross-border cooperation programme contributes to pave the way for smart and sustainable economic development of the beneficiary area, which includes two candidate countries (Albania and Montenegro)" the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, added. According to Hahn "the programme will support competitiveness of SME's, environment protection and promotion of climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as the improvement of public infrastructure and transport". (ANSA).