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The first meeting of the AII Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) under the Chairmanship of the Republic of North Macedonia took place in Skopje on 21 October 2025, chaired by Ms. Tina Djepovska, Head of Unit at the Directorate for European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia, with the assistance of Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, AII Secretary General.
During the meeting, the programme and priorities of the AII Chairmanship of North Macedonia (June 2025 – May 2026) were presented under the motto “Strengthening regional unity, advancing the European future.” The priorities focus on:
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Enhancing European integration and regional cooperation,
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Promoting human digital transformation,
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Strengthening connectivity and infrastructural development,
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Cultural regional cooperation and protection of cultural heritage, and
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Youth and demographic challenges.
The calendar of upcoming events was also presented, including a Round Table on migration, to be held in Skopje in November 2025, as well as two additional round tables foreseen in 2026 focusing on enlargement and youth & digitalisation.
The AII Permanent Secretariat presented its Programme of Activities, confirming its full support to the Chairmanship and its commitment to strengthen cooperation with the Adriatic and Ionian Fora and to foster the involvement of civil society and stakeholders in the Adriatic–Ionian region.
Senior Officials were updated on the main recent events organised with the support of the AII Permanent Secretariat, including the 25th Anniversary of the Ancona Declaration held on 27 June 2025 in Ancona, which marked a milestone in reaffirming the Initiative’s role in promoting regional cooperation and European integration. The Adriatic Mediterranean Festival (Ancona, 25–30 August 2025) was also recalled, celebrating the culture of the Adriatic–Ionian region and dedicated this year to North Macedonia, the current AII Chairmanship country.
Finally, Senior Officials were informed about Cyprus’s formal request to join the Adriatic Ionian Initiative, currently under discussion among participating countries.
The AII Secretary General, Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, reported on the outcomes of the meeting to the 25th EUSAIR Governing Board held the following day in Skopje.
On 29–30 September 2025, the CIHEAM Bari Campus hosted the international workshop “Sustainable and Innovative Food Systems: The Mediterranean Diet as a Tool for Tourism and Local Development in EUSAIR Communities”, organized by the EUSAIR Presidency of North Macedonia, CIHEAM Bari, DG REGIO, and the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Platform (EGP), in cooperation with DG AGRI, DG GROW and DG MOVE.
On September 22nd, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the first meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) took place - an event that represents a historic moment and a confirmation of the shared commitment to regional cooperation, European integration and constructive multilateralism.
The meeting was organized by the Republic of North Macedonia, which assumed the one-year role of chairman of the AII for the period 2025–2026, and hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski.
In his address, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski, highlighted the symbolism of this year, which marks five years since joining the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), seven years of membership in AII and 25 years since the signing of the Ancona Declaration – the foundation of this regional initiative.
Under the motto "Strengthening regional unity, advancing the European future", the Chairmanship of North Macedonia affirms its commitment to deepening integration and cooperation between member states and their relationship with the European Union. Mucunski stressed the need for a credible EU enlargement process, noting that the Western Balkans must remain a strategic part of the European future. In that context, the priorities of the Chairmanship were presented: strengthening EU integration and regional trust, digital transformation, better infrastructure connectivity, cultural cooperation and support for youth. In a time of global uncertainty, a clear message was sent: "Unity is our strength, and European integration - a common goal."
In the framework of the XXV General Assembly of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Cities (FAIC), the international conference “The Development of the Adriatic-Ionian Area between Sustainability, Blue Economy and Culture” was held at the Aurum Cultural and Congress Centre in Pescara. The event brought together mayors, institutional representatives, academics and stakeholders from across the Adriatic-Ionian Region to discuss shared strategies for sustainable growth, blue economy opportunities and cultural cooperation.
The XIX edition of the Adriatic Mediterranean Festival took place in Ancona from August 25 to 30, 2025, once again bringing to the city a rich programme of concerts, performances, seminars, and cultural encounters. This year’s focus was dedicated to North Macedonia, the country holding the Chairmanship of the Adriatic Ionian Initiative and of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) since June 1, 2025.
Among the many events, special attention was given to the talk with Boban Pesov, illustrator, YouTuber and author, who presented his first graphic novel C’era una volta l’Est, in dialogue with journalist and Limes scientific advisor Marco Ansaldo. On the music stage, the internationally renowned Džambo Aguševi Orchestra, led by the “funky tiger” Džambo Agušev – the most acclaimed trumpet player of the Balkans – performed the exclusive national premiere of The Beat of Brass-Heart at the Roman Amphitheatre.
As in previous years, the Festival highlighted the strong partnership with the Adriatic Ionian Initiative, whose Permanent Secretariat is based in Ancona, and paid tribute to its 25 years of commitment to fostering regional cooperation across the Adriatic-Ionian area.
You can download the full programme in PDF.
For more information, please visit the official Festival website.