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Foreign Policy .. Multilateral Relations .. Regional initiative .. Adriatic – Ionian Initiative - AII
Adriatic Ionian Initiative
1/21/2011 4:31 PM
Adriatic – Ionian Initiative - AII

Adriatic – Ionian Initiative was officially promoted during the summit  on development and security of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea, held in  Ancona, on May 19th and 20th 2000.  The summit was ended by approving the Declaration from Ancona, as establishing political enactment of this Initiative. This association now brings together eight European countries, seven of which have access to the Adriatic and Ionian Sea: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Montenegro, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia,  and based on the  principle of membership succession, Serbia. Italy was the initiator of this Initiative and it hosted inaugural meeting. The Initiative was supported by the European Union.

The goal of the Initiative was to initiate development and strengthen security in the Adriatic - Ionian Region, to intensify co-operation between countries of the Region and stimulate transition countries for integration processes and approachement to the EU.

Similar to other Initiatives, the Adriatic - Ionian Initaitve is developing through two forms. Initiative is a Forum, which serves to  exchange political opinions and at the same time enables multilateral co-operation in more spheres, such as: traffic, sea-business , tourism, education, protection of human environment and cultural heritage, development of small and medium enterprises, and anti organized crime activities.

Two main bodies of the AII are:

  • The Adriatic-Ionian Council (AIC) set up at the ministerial level, and
  • Committee of Senior Officials

The AIC is the major body for decision-making process. The European Commission’s representative participates in its work. The Council regularly meets once a year (usually in May) and is presided on rotation basis with a new chairman every year.
The Committee of Senior Officials is a body responsible for coordination of activities, preparation of ministerial meetings (AIC) and for implementation of ideas and conclusions adopted within the Initiative. The Committee meets periodically, usually at least twice a year in the presiding country.

Bosnia and Herzegovina presides the AII from May 2006 to May 2007.

Initiative is currently chaired by Montenegro and in May this year, it will be handed over to Serbia.

Ambassador Ivan Orlić is the National Coordinator for the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative.