News: Italy takes over the EUSAIR Presidency

Italy has assumed the presidency of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR) until May 2027, placing the enlargement of the Western Balkans among the priorities of its mandate.

The Italian programme focuses on European integration and strengthening regional administrative capacity, connectivity and security, social, cultural and demographic cohesion, and the strengthening of value chains and SMEs.

The presidency aims in particular to reduce the gap between EU member states and candidate countries by enhancing administrative capacity, the rule of law, transport and energy infrastructure, and regional cooperation. It also intends to use EUSAIR as a tool to support the European integration process of the Western Balkans.