Today in Skopje, the 11th Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was officially opened, organised by the Ministry of European Affairs within the framework of North Macedonia’s Presidency of EUSAIR and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative.
Held under the motto “Accelerating EUSAIR: From Commitment to Impact”, the Forum gathered ministers, representatives of the European Commission, regional institutions, local authorities, international organisations, civil society representatives and youth from participating countries across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
In his opening remarks, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Bekim Sali stressed that macro-regional cooperation today represents a strategic instrument for strengthening stability, resilience and the European integration of the region.
“EUSAIR is not only a regional cooperation platform, but also a concrete bridge towards gradual European integration. At a time of major geopolitical and economic challenges, the region needs more coordination, stronger connectivity and more joint investments,” Sali stated.
He underlined that European Union enlargement remains a strategic investment in peace, stability and prosperity for Europe, while the countries of the Western Balkans should continue advancing on their European path through credible reforms and stronger regional cooperation.
Within the framework of the Forum, the Adriatic-Ionian Council/EUSAIR Ministerial Meeting was also held, where participating countries adopted the Skopje Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, supporting the enlargement process and advancing shared European priorities.
