The adoption of a Joint Statement marked the end of the 16th Conference of Presidents/Speakers of Parliaments of the Adriatic & Ionian Initiative (AII). In their Joint Statement, parliaments of participating states determine that cooperation of national parliaments within the AII is important for identifying regional projects which should, among other things, support the Western Balkans integration in the EU. Parliaments provide support to the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, which represents a useful instrument of cooperation between the EU member states and candidate countries and potential membership candidates. Participants in the Conference, as representatives of their parliaments, call for European institutions to strengthen their political and financial support to the implementation of strategic projects from the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region. The Statement also notes that the AII parliaments call for all national, regional and local authorities, private sector and the NGOs to continue to develop synergy between strategies of sustainable tourism and cultural sector. Participants point out the significance of improving infrastructure, which is essential for increasing accessibility and connectivity of the region and note the significance of security and safety for sustainable development of a tourism destination, and call for stronger cooperation and exchange of good practice among participating countries of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative.
During the day, President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Ivan Brajović also held bilateral meetings with speakers of the following parliaments: Mr Dejan Židan (Slovenia), Mr Talat Xhaferi (North Macedonia), Mr Gramoz Ruçi (Albania), Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr Nebojša Radmanović, and Deputy Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Mr Georgios Varemenos.
JOINT STATEMENTAdoption of the Joint Statement
Session II
Bilateral meetings - footage
