A sea that unites

Building bridges, making projects. This is the spirit that led to the establishment of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian cities in Ancona, in 1999. The Forum brings together coastal cities of seven Countries bordering on the Adriatic-Ionian basin: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece. From their viewpoint sea does not constitute an element of division, but rather of union, a union that isn’t only historical and cultural. It is a union of projects and of dreams. These dreams could come true if in 2014 the project of an Adriatic-Ionian region – a European instrument for inter-regional and transnational cooperation – will be implemented. This would enable the development of a common governance on shared problems regarding as the environment, energy, transport, fishery, coastal management, rural development, tourism, culture, university cooperation, civil protection and cooperation between SMEs. The issue was broached during the 14th plenary session of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian cities, scheduled to take place in Pescara, November 28-30. Joining forces. "Fostering networking" and "enhancing human capital" is the message sent by the Minister of Education, Francesco Profumo, to participants in the Forum. "This message is perfectly in line with the goals of our association – said Michele Brisighelli, general secretary of the Forum – who wishes to identify common strategies and solutions for all the Countries of the Adriatic-Balkan-Ionian area, institutionalizing also economic and financial forms of partnership, and proposing common projects of urban, environmental, cultural and tourist nature". "The Forum – underlined Luigi Albore Mascia, mayor of Pescara, vice-president of the Forum – is not only a container of ideas; it’s also a point of departure to accomplish our common projects", that will be implemented fully with the creation of an Adriatic-Ionian region, that we view as a factor not of division but of encounter, to step up integration amongst the various cultures and identities involved". "In future planning, whilst acknowledging the central role of a macro-region – the mayor said – we should equally bear in mind the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for sustainability, reaching high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion". Democracy and freedom. Three in particular are the themes addressed in the first day of Forum: culture and international cooperation, security, and the free circulation of information, peoples and goods. This theme is "critical to the democratization process – Mascia said – since it represents the most concrete sign of freedom, enabling us to be the promoters of our own future". It is and admonition to the youth that took part in the II edition of the Adriatic-Ionian youth forum, to whom was dedicated the message of the deputy major of Spalato Jure Šundov, themed with a motto of his city, "Be save, living, and lively". Promoting integration in the EU. "With an Adriatic-Ionian macroregion it will be possible to provide renewed thrust to territories, such as the Balkans, that have been underestimated for too long, supporting them in their progress within the EU", underlined Marco Bellardi from the Adriatic-Ionian Permanent Secretariat initiative. "It’s a complex project that involves institutions at all levels; an innovative form of interregional and international cooperation which is marked by a strong participation also at local level", said Michele Picciano, national president of the Italian Association for the Council of Municipalities and Regions of Europe. It is a system through which it is possible to combat nationalisms". In order to reach this goal "we can no longer consider ourselves as a reality in itself since those who remain outside the system have no future, even less a European future", underlined Gianni Chiodi, president of the Abbruzzo Region. Culture: an engine for growth. Creating development through culture was the proposal launched by the Forum. "Far too often the roles that can be played by culture and art in the integration process are underestimated", pointed out Andrea Nobili, Cultural councillor at the Municipality of Ancorna, among the promoters of the experience of the Adriatic Mediterranean Festival, echoed by Cazim Nikezic, president of the cultural centre of the city of Bar, who recalled that "culture is a real social catalyser". "Bar is a multiethnic, multireligious and multilinguistic city – he said – this is not a limit, but an enrichment for the whole community". It is also the view of Andreas Filias, vice-mayor of Patras, a city where "interculturality is not an option but a fact that we accept and that we consider our force", that prompted the initiative of a series of cultural events with the participation of all Adriatic and Ionian cities. "An event which, paraphrasing D’Annunzio, we could call "the very sweet Adriatic" which today is a place for peace and holiday", concluded Giordano Bruno Guerri, president of the Foundation, "The Shrine of Italian victories".