The European Union Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR), one of the EU’s four macro-regional strategies, is a platform that supports the socio-economic development of the Adriatic-Ionian region. EUSAIR fosters cooperation among EU member states and EU candidate countries within the region.
The main objective of EUSAIR, which was adopted at an international conference in Brussels on 18 November 2014, is to promote economic and social prosperity and growth within the region. It aims to enhance the region’s attractiveness, competitiveness and connectivity, while specifically encouraging the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU – a matter of vital importance for Montenegro.
EUSAIR is implemented by ten countries: four EU member states – Greece, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, and five candidate countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia, as well as San Marino.
Cooperation within EUSAIR is centered around four thematic pillars, coordinated by the member states:
- Blue Growth (coordinators: Greece and Montenegro)
- Connecting the Region (coordinators: Italy, North Macedonia and Serbia)
- Environmental Quality (coordinators: Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Sustainable Tourism (coordinators: Croatia and Albania)
The governance of the Strategy is overseen by the Governing Board, which includes thematic pillar coordinators, national coordinators, EU funds coordinators and European Commission representatives, as well as the strategic project entitled “Facility Point – Support for EUSAIR Implementation’
In Montenegro, the implementation of EUSAIR is coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of European Affairs, with appointed national coordinators leading the process. The specific responsibilities within each of the four thematic areas of this macro-regional strategy are carried out by relevant ministries.
The implementation and coordination of EUSAIR in Montenegro take place through the national Working Group for EUSAIR Implementation, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the North, Ministry of Transport, the University of Montenegro’s Institute of Marine Biology, Chamber of Commerce, and National Tourism Organization. More information on EUSAIR can be found on the Strategy’s official website.
EUSAIR is subject to the principle of one-year rotating presidency. Between June 2018 and May 2019, Montenegro was the first non-EU country to preside over EUSAIR. This was a major milestone for both Montenegro and the EU enlargement process, given that EUSAIR serves as a mechanism supporting EU accession. Montenegro’s presidency focused on Blue Growth and Sustainable Tourism, establishing financial dialogue among non-EU countries involved in EUSAIR, enhancing the Strategy’s visibility, strengthening coordination mechanisms at all levels and fostering synergies with other (regional and other) initiatives/organizations. Montenegro capitalized on its successful presidency by hosting the 4th EUSAIR Forum in Budva (7-8 May 2019), which was attended by over 600 participants from various sectors and numerous high-ranking officials from Montenegro, the region and the EU.
During Montenegro’s presidency, several initiatives were launched, with the most notable being the initiative to define macro-regional priorities within the 2021–2027 financial perspective. In the IPA III framework document, the European Commission included EUSAIR-related priorities as essential. The document states that thematic priorities within the Third Window are complementary to the new cohesion policy priorities (Smart, Green and Connected Europe) and aligned with the priorities defined within EUSAIR structures.
From June 2024 until May 2025, EUSAIR is presided over by Greece.
Contacts:
Tatjana Bošković, Head of Department for Horizontal Issues and Macroregional Cooperation, email: tatjana.boskovic@mep.gov.me
Miodrag Račeta, Project Officer, email: miodrag.raceta@mep.gov.me