At the Forum, the Skopje Declaration was adopted. It reaffirms the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and EUSAIR as strategic frameworks for strengthening regional cooperation, stability, security, and prosperity in the Adriatic-Ionian region, particularly in the context of the current geopolitical challenges facing Europe and the wider international community.
The Declaration underlines that EU enlargement remains a vital geostrategic investment in peace, stability, and prosperity, emphasizing the importance of a credible, predictable, and merit-based accession process for candidate countries. It welcomes the renewed momentum in the enlargement process and encourages stronger engagement of Western Balkan partners in reforms and gradual integration measures, including through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and enhanced regional cooperation within the EUSAIR framework.
It highlights the adoption of the revised EUSAIR Action Plan and the introduction of the fifth social pillar, placing stronger emphasis on social cohesion, digitalisation, resilience, place-based development, and alignment with the EU enlargement process. The Declaration stresses the need to systematically embed EUSAIR priorities into future EU funding instruments and post-2027 cohesion policies, while strengthening multilevel governance, institutional cooperation, and coordination among macro-regional strategies.
The Declaration also recognizes the strategic importance of regional connectivity, energy security, transport corridors, and initiatives such as the Green Lanes and broader European and intercontinental connectivity projects. It calls for stronger synergies between EU member states and candidate countries in addressing common economic, energy, digital, and environmental challenges.
Special attention is given to youth, civil society, and regional stakeholders. The Declaration commends the work of the EUSAIR Youth Council and supports initiatives aimed at addressing brain drain, youth unemployment, entrepreneurship, and skills development across the region. It also acknowledges the important role of academia, chambers of commerce, local authorities, and civil society organisations in implementing EUSAIR priorities and fostering inclusive regional cooperation.
Finally, the Declaration commends North Macedonia for its successful AII/EUSAIR Chairmanship and welcomes the transfer of the Presidency to Italy for the 2026–2027 period, reaffirming the shared commitment to advancing regional cooperation, sustainable growth, European integration, and closer alignment with European Union values and priorities.
