Presiding country: Italy

Italy assumes the Presidency of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative (AII) and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027, at a crucial moment for the Adriatic-Ionian region and for the future of European integration. 

Building upon the work carried out by previous Presidencies, and in particular on the momentum generated by the North Macedonian Presidency following the adoption of the revised EUSAIR Action Plan, Italy will focus on implementing the renewed strategic framework through concrete cooperation initiatives and policy results for the benefit of citizens, territories and communities across the region. 

The Italian Presidency takes place in a context marked by geopolitical transformations, climate change, green and digital transitions, demographic challenges and a renewed commitment of the European Union towards enlargement. Against this backdrop, Italy intends to strengthen EUSAIR as a strategic macro-regional platform capable of fostering stability, connectivity, territorial cohesion and sustainable development throughout the Adriatic-Ionian area. 

Territorial cohesion will be the guiding principle of the Presidency. Italy sees cohesion not only as a policy objective, but also as a practical tool to connect territories, reduce disparities, improve accessibility, strengthen competitiveness and enhance cooperation among national, regional and local actors. 

A central priority of the Presidency will be to support the European integration path of the Western Balkans and to reinforce the contribution of EUSAIR to the enlargement process. Particular attention will be devoted to administrative capacity-building, policy convergence and the exchange of experience between EU Member States and candidate countries, with the objective of facilitating alignment with European standards and governance practices. 

The Presidency will also promote a stronger focus on connectivity and territorial integration, social and demographic resilience, youth and skills, innovation ecosystems, SMEs and value chains. These priorities reflect the conviction that macro-regional cooperation can generate tangible benefits for local communities while contributing to a more cohesive, resilient and competitive Adriatic-Ionian region. 

Through a set of thematic initiatives and policy-oriented outputs, the Italian Presidency aims to further consolidate EUSAIR as a catalyst for cooperation, European integration and territorial development, while contributing to the long-term vision of a stable, prosperous and interconnected Adriatic-Ionian region.