Pillar 2 – Connecting the Region

EUSAIR Masterplan of Transport

The EUSAIR Masterplan of Transport represents the main strategic achievement of Pillar 2 in the transport sector. Developed through the cooperation of all participating Countries within EUSAIR, the Masterplan provides a shared long-term vision document for the development of transport infrastructure and services across the Adriatic-Ionian Region.

Based on a comprehensive analysis of existing transport networks, accessibility gaps and ongoing and planned infrastructure projects, the Masterplan outlines future development scenarios with time horizons to 2030 and 2050. Its objective is to support a more integrated, multimodal and sustainable transport system, aligned with EU sustainable mobility policy and capable of improving connectivity across the Region.

By establishing a common macroregional framework for transport planning, the Masterplan enables decision-makers to analyse infrastructure needs and development scenarios from a shared perspective, strengthening policy coordination and supporting coherent investment planning across the Adriatic-Ionian Region.

EUSAIR Multimodal Transport Model (EMTM)

The EUSAIR Multimodal Transport Model (EMTM) is a key technical achievement of Pillar 2, providing a tool to support multimodal transport planning in the Adriatic-Ionian Region. Developed within the Thematic Steering Group (TSG2) on Transport, EMTM is a model simulating passenger and freight demand flows for both rail and road transports, supporting the assessment of infrastructure investment taking into consideration socio-economic development, network performances, accessibility and environmental impacts.

By modelling different future infrastructure scenarios, including the completion of ongoing and planned projects, the EMTM helped identify persistent accessibility gaps and critical bottlenecks across the Region. The simulations provided quantitative evidence to support coordinated infrastructure planning and policy decisions.

Through this shared analytical tool, EUSAIR countries gained a comprehensive overview of the transport system of the Adriatic-Ionian Region and strengthened their capacity to plan future investments based on comparable data, scenario analysis and measurable impacts.

Identification of priority actions

Through continuous cooperation the Thematic Steering Group (TSG2) on Transport has identified a set of projects of macro-regional cross-country relevance to be prioritized for the development of the Adriatic-Ionian transport system, in order to promote more sustainable transport modes and foster economic growth, territorial cohesion and competitiveness.

The process was built on the analytical work carried out through the EUSAIR Masterplan of Transport and was supported by technical discussions among ministries, national experts and regional stakeholders. These exchanges highlighted key challenges affecting the Region, including uneven accessibility levels, cross-border bottlenecks and the need to ensure the alignment of infrastructure development with environmental sustainability.

As a result of this coordinated work, countries converged on several shared areas for action, including the digitalisation and greening of ports, stronger intermodal connections between maritime gateways and hinterland networks, improved interoperability of transport systems and the promotion of sustainable urban mobility. These priorities were later integrated into the revised EUSAIR Action Plan, providing a clearer strategic orientation for cooperation and project development within Pillar 2.

Strengthening stakeholder engagement and cooperation

One of the key achievements of Pillar 2 has been the creation of a consolidated framework for cooperation among stakeholders of the Adriatic-Ionian Region in the field of transport policy and planning.

Through the work of the Thematic Steering Group (TSG2) on Transport, representatives of national ministries, transport authorities and technical experts regularly exchange information, discuss common projects and strategic initiatives. Through this coordinated process, 58 projects were labelled by TSG2 as strategically relevant for the Macroregion, including 27 infrastructure projects and 31 small-scale pilot actions and feasibility studies. These initiatives represent different levels of maturity, ranging from project proposals to ongoing and completed actions, and contribute to strengthening connectivity and cooperation across the Adriatic-Ionian transport system.

The stakeholder engagement has facilitated discussions on cross-border connectivity, interoperability of infrastructure and services, and bottlenecks affecting border crossing points. By sharing experiences, data and planning approaches, participating countries strengthened their capacity to address these challenges collectively and to coordinate the planning and modernisation of transport infrastructure across the Region.

EUSAIR Masterplan on Energy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region

The development of the EUSAIR Masterplan on Energy represents a main strategic achievement of Pillar 2 – Connecting the Region in the Energy sector. The Master Plan has been conceived and prepared through a cooperation amongst all the EUSAIR Participating Countries within the EUSAIR Thematic Steering Group 2 (TSG2) on Energy. The Master Plan on Energy aims at providing energy policy makers with shared outlook on the priorities, directions and projects characterising the energy systems through the Adriatic and Ionian Region.

Reference is made to two energy Scenarios which would shape policies and programmes towards the years 2030 and 2050. The first, the Current Energy Policies Scenario, reflects the continuation of existing national policies and priorities, with gradual convergence among Countries over time. The second, the Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Scenario, explores a pathway towards fully decarbonised energy systems in the Region by around 2050, with the convergence of policies and programmes into the EU and the prospect of EU’s enlargement to the Western Balkans.

The Masterplan is supporting the transition towards more efficient, secure and sustainable energy systems. It promotes improved interconnections of energy networks, enhanced security of supply and the progressive decarbonisation of the regional energy systems, contributing to the objectives of energy efficiency, green energy development and climate neutrality.

By providing a shared reference framework for energy policy and infrastructure development, the Masterplan helps EUSAIR participating Countries align their strategies and coordinate future investments across the Adriatic and Ionian Region.

Identification and implementation of projects of macroregional relevance in the energy sector

A key achievement of Pillar 2 has been the identification and promotion of strategic energy infrastructure projects contributing to the integration, security and competitiveness of energy systems in the Adriatic-Ionian Region.

Through cooperation within the Thematic Steering Group (TSG2) on Energy, EUSAIR participating Countries identified initiatives of macroregional importance aimed at strengthening cross-border energy connections and supporting the development of a more integrated regional energy market.

As a result of this coordinated effort, 33 projects were identified as “EUSAIR-labelled energy projects”. These projects include energy infrastructure developments such as LNG terminals and logistics designed to improve the resilience, diversification and reliability of energy supply.

Among the most significant examples are the projects MON.ITA undersea power link between Montenegro and Italy, the GRITA2 high-voltage direct current connection between Greece and Italy, the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) linking the Caspian gas corridor to Southern Europe, and the Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU) in the ports of Vlora (Albania) and Ravenna (Italy). These initiatives contribute to strengthening energy connectivity and competitiveness between the Adriatic-Ionian Region and the wider European energy system.

Road Map for electricity market integration and natural gas hub of the Adriatic-Ionian Region

Promoting the integration of electricity and natural gas markets across the Adriatic and Ionian Region is a top priority to ensure efficiency, competitiveness and security. EUSAIR Pillar 2 – Energy prepared and developed special initiative and project to the purpose.

A Road Map has been designed and proposed for accelerating electricity and gas market integration within the Adriatic and Ionian Region and between the Region and the wider EU energy markets. The EUSAIR participating Countries and the relevant administrations and energy regulatory authorities are called to identify steps and actions required to improve coordination, strengthen cross-border trading and move towards a more integrated regional energy market.

The Road Map highlights the need for both adequate infrastructure and harmonised regulatory frameworks to enable the efficient movement of energy across national borders. It outlines actions aimed at aligning national legislation and market design with the European Regulatory Framework, supporting the progressive integration of EUSAIR participating Countries into the wider European energy market.

For electricity markets, the Road Map identifies key areas such as risk preparedness, forward capacity allocation, congestion management, electricity balancing, system operations, network code for emergency and restoration. In the natural gas sector, the proposed actions include measures related to interoperability, network code, capacity allocation management and tariffs network.

By defining these steps and priorities, the Road Map provides a practical framework guiding participating Countries towards deeper energy market integration, improved competitiveness and enhanced security of supply across the Adriatic and Ionian Region.

Renewable energy potential for power production and priorities in the Adriatic and Ionian Region

An assessment has been conducted and accomplished with the support of the Governments of the EUSAIR participating Countries to analyse the potential of renewable energy sources through the Adriatic and Ionian Region while coping with the two-sided goal of competitive and secure energy supply on one hand and the transition towards decarbonised or net-zero carbon energy systems by mid-century on the other hand.

The Adriatic and Ionian Region is characterised by significant geographic, environmental, and economic diversity. The Region is facing both opportunities and challenges in the energy transition, climate resilience, conservation of biodiversity and cross-border infrastructure development. Within this context the EUSAIR Pillar 2 and its Thematic Steering Group 2 (TSG2) on Energy are playing a key role supporting energy security, improving interconnectivity, and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy technologies.

In this context, the assessment which has been accomplished is providing strategic inputs and guidelines to the Governments and energy policy makers regarding the most important renewable energy potential, barriers and obstacles to renewable energies development. The assessment integrates environmental and climate considerations and gives an overview on how renewable energy deployment contributes to security of supply.

Themes like the digitalisation within the renewable energy sector in the Region, interdependence between greenhouse gas (GNG) targets and just transition and energy poverty policies, as well as the preparedness of the Region to meet the long-term climate and energy targets are also analysed.

The findings of this assessment aim both at immediate priority setting as well as an overview in hour the Adriatic and Ionian Region is preparing for the net-zero carbon energy context.

Enhancement of energy stakeholders’ involvement, interaction and cooperation

Strengthening dialogue and cooperation among energy stakeholders is an important component of Pillar 2 activities in the energy field. Energy systems involve a wide range of actors, including industry players, energy utilities, public administrations and regulatory authorities, consumers and citizens, whose participation is essential for the successful development and implementation of energy programmes and projects.

Through workshops, conferences and meetings organised within the framework of the Thematic Steering Group 2 (TSG2) on Energy, Pillar 2 created opportunities for these stakeholders to exchange views and contribute to discussions on the future of energy systems in the Adriatic and Ionian Region. Topics addressed include climate change mitigation, energy security, digitalisation of energy systems and ensuring access to energy at affordable and competitive prices.

Engaging industry representatives has helped identify technological opportunities and potential financing solutions for strategic projects, while the participation of consumer associations and civil society organisations has supported the identification of environmental concerns and social acceptance issues related to energy infrastructure development.

This collaborative approach has strengthened cooperation across the Adriatic and Ionian Region and contributed to building broader support for the transition towards more sustainable, secure and integrated energy systems.