A tool for economic cooperation as well as "dialogue between the regions overlooking the sea" and "integration of the Balkan countries in the European space". These are the goals of the Euro-region of the Adriatic, "a sort of cooperative" of Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece and Italy, which was established today in Venice (with a study day at palazzo Cavalli Franchetti). The event was promoted by the Council of Europe with its Congress of local and regional powers. The countries which joined the project and which "in the past have had serious problems with their neighbours, have now joined in a partnership as explained by the CoE in a release whose capital is the Adriatic Sea and which, as well as improving their economic conditions, will connect them, while dispelling tension and creating more political stability and expediting the democratic process". The president of the Congress of local powers, Giovanni Di Stasi, stated: "It is not easy to enter national agreements, not even in bilateral relations, so just think what happens when it comes to mediating between seven states, each one with a different culture and different problems". "After burying all rivalries", these countries "have firmly committed themselves to the development of the project, which is supported not only by all regions on the Adriatic Sea but also by the European Union". The ares of cooperation are five: transport and infrastructure, culture and tourism, agriculture, environment and fishing.
