On 15-16 May 2024 the CEI-Executive Secretariat participated in the 9th EUSAIR forum “Shaping the future of EUSAIR “ organised under the Croatian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, in Šibenik.
The event offered participants a wide perspective on the achievements of the Strategy, and the opportunity for stakeholders to take active part in the dialogue about the future of Cohesion Policy after 2027. Strong focus was put on the EUSAIR macro-region needs, on the value added and meaning of cooperation for regions and cities, especially through Interreg instrument, opening the discussion on how it could be improved as a cooperation tool.
The CEI-Executive Secretariat - as prominent voice in the EUSAIR region - presented major results achieved by the Organisation and stimulated a debate around two EUSAIR Pillars (“2- Connecting the region” and “3 – Environmental quality”).
On 15 May, Anna Marconato, CEI Senior Programme Manager showcased how the NAMIRS project, funded by the EU, addressed the EUSAIR Pillar 3 goal on environmental quality by establishing a response system for oil spills in the North Adriatic basin. The project, involving stakeholders from Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia, achieved significant milestones including joint risk assessment and operational coordination. She also announced the upcoming ASAP project (Adriatic Sensitive Areas Protection – mechanism), funded by Interreg IPA Adrion, to expand maritime protection across the Adriatic basin. This project aims to enhance preparedness and response procedures in six Adriatic countries.
On May 16, Paolo Dileno, CEI Project Manager, presented the CEI perspective at the “EUSAIR Pillar 2 Subgroup Transport: Interoperable Rail Infrastructure and Services to Increase Rail Connectivity in the Adriatic and Ionian Region” session. He highlighted the role of EU-funded projects in designing and testing cross-border rail passenger services, citing the launch of the Trieste-Rijeka experimental service as an example. Dileno emphasised the foundational work of previous projects such as Interreg CE CONNECT2CE and MIMOSA in improving cross-border mobility, mentioning initiatives such as the Micotra train extension, combined ticketing for Trieste-Ljubljana and agreements between Croatian and Slovenian railways.
With reference to rail connectivity scenarios for the EUSAIR Region, Dileno also mentioned that a CEI's ongoing study, funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, would further investigate potential transport demand and interoperability issues along the Trieste-Ljubljana-Zagreb-Belgrade route, aligning with the EUSAIR Transport Masterplan for 2030.
For more information: marconato@cei.int; dileno@cei.int; https://www.adriatic-ionian.eu/event/9th-annual-eusair-forum/