PILLAR 2: Connecting the Region

Pillar 2 – Connecting the Region – aims to strengthen connectivity, integration, and cohesion across the Adriatic-Ionian Region and with the EU in transport and energy. Achieving this requires close collaboration among partner countries to align policies and initiatives. Joint efforts will focus on infrastructure development and the coordinated management of transport and energy systems, with the shared goal of building a more inclusive, cohesive, and competitive region.

The specific objectives for this pillar are:

To enhance the safety, security, and competitiveness of port operations, and to develop an interconnected, macro-regional port system
To develop reliable multi-modal and intermodal connections with the hinterland, both for freight and passengers.
To support the integration of urban nodes and regional transport systems into a greener TEN-T network to achieve a well-interconnected and well-functioning internal energy market supporting the three energy policy objectives of the EU, i.e. confronting climate change, enhancing security of supply and competitiveness.
To confront the challenges of the energy transition towards decarbonised and resilient energy systems, while promoting renewable energy sources and energy efficiency

To achieve the abovementioned objectives, Pillar 2 will focus on three topics:

Topic 1 – Maritime transport
Topic 2 – Multi-modal connectivity
Topic 3 – Urban nodes
Topic 4 – Energy networks
Topic 5 – Decarbonising the energy systems

Coordinators

Italy , Serbia and North Macedonia

Topic 1 - Maritime transport

The main objective of this topic is to enhance the safety, security, and competitiveness of port operations, and to develop an interconnected, macro-regional port system. This will be achieved through:

increasing safety and security of port operations and resilience of infrastructure, through a vessel traffic monitoring and information system and investments in ports to increase safety, security and ports’ capacity and interconnectivity;
improving the effectiveness of port infrastructure and equipment, hence the competitiveness of maritime transport services, through the interoperability of IT systems and solutions in ports including the development and/or improvement of Port Community System;
greening ports and maritime transport and increasing the number of certified ports (ISO 14001, Port Environmental Review System and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme);
removing roadblocks to project investments, focusing on the enabling factors for the creation and development of regional enterprises along the free and regulated European market principles.

Topic 2 - Multi-modal connectivity

The main objective of this topic is to develop reliable multi-modal and intermodal connections with the hinterland, both for freight and passengers. This will be achieved through:

new investment projects in ICT infrastructure to improve multi-modal connections;
interoperable rail infrastructure and services among countries of the Adriatic-Ionian region to increase the rail connections between cities in the Western Balkans;
increased rail transport capacity and quality thorough a reduction of missing links and bottlenecks and upgraded rail network of the region to TEN-T standards;
increased road safety of rail and road networks.

Topic 3 - Urban nodes

The main objective of this topic is to support the integration of urban nodes and regional transport systems into a greener TEN-T network. This will be achieved through:

the adoption of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans for all urban nodes in the region to actively promote sustainable mobility solutions, and sustainable logistics measures;
integrated public transport services solutions (including also fare structure) for the largest urban nodes, covering their functional urban areas, to increase the modal share of public transport;
better coverage of bike lanes and networks (more km of cycling lanes) in all urban areas, connecting the cities with their commuting areas and measures to promote cycling, to increase bike modal share.

Topic 4 - Energy networks

The main objective of this topic is to achieve a well-interconnected and well-functioning internal energy market supporting the three energy policy objectives of the EU, i.e. confronting climate change, enhancing security of supply and competitiveness. This will be achieved through:

developing integrated power networks and markets towards a green Adriatic-Ionian region based on renewable energies production and consumption;
building interconnected energy systems and better integrated grids to support renewable energy sources;
fostering energy market integration, energy competitiveness and security of energy supply of the Adriatic-Ionian region;
removing roadblocks to project investments, focusing on the enabling factors for creation and development of regional enterprises along the free and regulated European market principles.

Topic 5 – Decarbonising the energy systems

The main objective of this topic is to confront the challenges of the energy transition towards decarbonised and resilient energy systems, while promoting renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. This will be achieved through:

increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix across the Adriatic-Ionian Region;
improving and enhancing energy efficiency of the economies of the Adriatic-Ionian region, through better energy use and management and thus reducing the energy intensity, in terms of the energy required for GDP unit;
introducing and deploying renewable hydrogen in the energy mix (particularly for the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries) while increasing cooperation on advanced energy technologies in the Adriatic-Ionian Region;
promoting better cohesion through the development of energy communities in the Adriatic-Ionian Region;
ensuring affordable energy supply by fighting energy poverty and protecting energy consumers.