The EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions will hold its external meeting - The role of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) in increasing prosperity and security in Europe - with the lead of EPP-CoR President Michael Schneiderin Dubrovnik on Friday October 28 by the invitation of Mr. Nikola Dobroslavić, President of the Dubrovnik-Neretva region in Croatia and an EPP-CoR Member. Nearly 80 EPP-CoR Members will be present to debate the challenges and opportunities for the Adriatic-Ionian region.
In anticipation to the event, President Schneider stressed that "our Group is very keen to give our full support to the development and implementation of the Adriatic-Ionian macro-regional strategy as an instrument to strengthened the 3C's (cooperation, coordination and connectivity) in the region in addition to other EU initiatives. The EUSAIR can only be successful if all levels of government, specifically regional and local, are properly involved in the design and implementation of the strategy."
Mr. Dobroslavić stated that "the strategy offers four EU Member States and four EU candidate and potential candidate countries the chance to work alongside their neighbours on areas of common interest. In this respect, I consider the cross-border cooperation on as a key element in the development of border areas."
In addition to the welcoming and keynote speeches, the meeting is divided into two rounds of discussions. The first round of discussions will focus on identifying the obstacles faced by the region and seeking to find answers to them through enhanced cooperation and exchange of best practices from all levels of governance. The second session aims at strengthening regional cooperation on security, especially the possibilities offered by the macro-regional approach in promoting cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation to help address the common security and migratory challenges.
After the event a citizens' dialogue will be organised with CoR President Markku Markkula, EPP-CoR President Michael Schneider, Croatian Minister for Regional development and EU funds Gabrijela Žalac and President Dobroslavić.