New EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) has been adopted by EU Leader. It is a new step in the EU integration of the Western Balkan States.  Croatia, Greece, Italy and Slovenia will cooperate closely with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia.

This is the first EU ‘macro-regional strategy’ with such a large proportion of non-EU countries cooperating with EU members. The Strategy mainly revolves around the opportunities of the maritime economy – ‘blue growth’, land-sea transport, energy connectivity, protectingthe environment and sustainable tourism – sectors that are bound to play a crucial role in creating jobs and boosting economic growth in the region. 

Council conclusions: http://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/attachments/article/590686/Council%20Conclusions%20on%20governance%20-%202014.pdf

EC Press release 18 June 2014 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-690_en.htm

Key documents for EUSAIR are available here: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperate/adriat_ionian/documents_en.cfm#3