By Martin Banks - 23rd May 2011
It's time for these discussions to produce concrete ideas
Maria Damanaki
European fisheries and maritime affairs commissioner Maria Damanaki has welcomed fresh attempts to forge closer links between the EU and countries in southern Europe.
At the moment, only three Adriatic countries are EU members – Greece, Italy and Slovenia, while Croatia is close to accession.
But a meeting in Brussels on Monday was told there should be closer cooperation between Adriatic Ionian countries and the EU, particularly in the fields of security, transport and environmental protection.
The gathering of foreign ministers and secretaries of state from eight Adriatic nations called on all EU institutions to use their "political leverage and technical expertise" to help achieve this objective.
Damanaki, said, "I applaud the initiative taken by the eight countries.
"The Adriatic Ionian countries are bound not only by historical links and a common cultural heritage, but also by a shared responsibility for their sea.
"Plenty of discussions are ongoing. For me, it's time for these discussions to produce concrete ideas and real partnerships."
Her comments were echoed by EU environment commissioner Janez Potocnik, who said, "I am convinced that closer cooperation will be essential.
"It will help identify and address the specific challenges for the marine environment in the Adriatic and Ionian seas and implementing successfully the ecosystem-based approach to the management of human activities."
The meeting took place at the Committee of the Regions office and, addressing a news conference, CoR president Mercedes Bresso called for an EU strategy similar to those developed for the Baltic Sea and the Danube.
She said, "From overfishing to chemical pollution, the Adriatic and Ionian face many challenges that can only be solved if all neighbouring countries pull in the same direction.
"Yet, opportunities from the emerging blue and green economy can be seized only if we avoid a piecemeal approach. We have to move fast."
She added, "A European strategy for the entire Adriatic-Ionian 'macro-region' would give us the means to tackle these issues together. It must be launched right now, at a crucial time for defining priorities on future funding programmes for post-2013, as with cohesion policy.
"It is clear that the future of the whole region lies in the EU. Stepping up cross-border cooperation, tackling practical issues together, could prove a major milestone on the road to Brussels for candidate countries and potential candidates.
"A proper involvement of local authorities keeps citizens close to the accession process and informed about its concrete advantages."
