ABOUT EUSAIR

The EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) is a macro-regional strategy adopted by the European Commission and endorsed by the European Council in 2014. The Strategy was jointly developed by the Commission and the Adriatic-Ionian Region countries and stakeholders, which agreed to work together on the areas of common interest for the benefit of each country and the whole region.

Strategy

The EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region is one of the four EU macro-regional strategies, besides the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (2009), the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (2011) and the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (2016).

The EUSAIR brings together ten participating countries: four EU Member States (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia), 5 EU candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia) and one non-EU country ( San Marino).

The general objective of EUSAIR is to promote effective multilevel and cross-sectoral cooperation for an economically prosperous, socially inclusive, well connected, more integrated, green and liveable Adriatic-Ionian Region.

ACTION PLAN

The Strategy is implemented through the Action Plan, which identifies key priorities for the Adriatic-Ionian Region. The first Action Plan was adopted in 2014 alongside the launch of the Strategy. Since then, new priorities, challenges, and opportunities have emerged, prompting a revision process that began in January 2022.

In May 2025, the European Commission officially adopted the revised Action Plan alongside a new Communication, marking a renewed phase of regional cooperation focused on innovation, connectivity, climate resilience, and economic convergence across the Adriatic-Ionian Region.

With  the revised Action Plan, participating countries have also reaffirmed their commitment to  support the EU accession process, unlocking the full potential of the Adriatic-Ionian Region. The Strategy complements the EU’s negotiating framework and other instruments used by the Commission to guide candidate countries toward membership.

The countries are aiming to create synergies, foster coordination and generate impact in the Adriatic-Ionian Region in five thematic areas/ Pillars:

Milestones

EUSAIR Facility Point Project Partners Kick-off meeting in Ljubljana
2016
15 - 16 December
EUSAIR Facility Point Project Partners Kick-off meeting in Ljubljana
Launch Conference of the EUSAIR in Brussels.
2014
18 November
Launch Conference of the EUSAIR in Brussels.
Endorsement of the EUSAIR by the European Council and launch of the implementation phase
2014
24 October
Endorsement of the EUSAIR by the European Council and launch of the implementation phase
European Commission adopts the Action Plan and Communication for the EUSAIR.
2014
17 June
European Commission adopts the Action Plan and Communication for the EUSAIR.

More information

Communication From The Commission To The European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic And Social Committee And The Committee Of The Regions On The Revised Action Plan Of The Eu Macro-regional Strategy For The Adriatic And Ionian RegionAction Plan of the EU Macro-Regional Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian RegionCouncil conclusions on the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR)For a Prosperous And Integrated Adriatic And Ionian Region