Enhancing Road and Rail Connectivity in the Adriatic-Ionian Region - 18 June 2025, Portorož
The Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce (Forum AIC), in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Primorska, the Chamber of Commerce of Marche and Uniontrasporti, held an international event in Portorož (Slovenia) on 18-19 June, focused on the development of road and rail infrastructure across the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion.
The initiative, entitled “Enhancing Road and Rail Connectivity in the Adriatic-Ionian Region: Addressing Cross-Border Challenges through Institutional Dialogue and Chambers of Commerce Insights”, brought together institutional representatives, technical experts and key stakeholders to discuss the main challenges related to mobility, logistics and cross-border transport cooperation.
The first day of the event was dedicated to two thematic panels, where participants addressed critical issues affecting road and rail transport. Particular attention was given to border bottlenecks, the need to foster multimodal integration, and improving connectivity along the TEN-T corridors. Several good practices and replicable solutions were presented, including those developed within the framework of EU-funded projects such as CROSSFREIGHT and TRANSPONEXT.
On 19 June, a high-level roundtable gathered political and institutional representatives from the Adriatic-Ionian countries, reaffirming shared political commitment to improving transport networks in the region. The discussion was part of a broader initiative titled “Beyond Infrastructures, for the development of connectivity between the Marche and the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion,” which is included in the programme “Transport and Logistics Infrastructures at the Service of the Economy of the Marche,” promoted by Uniontrasporti and funded by the Equalization Fund of Unioncamere. After an initial stage held in Crete during the 10th Annual EUSAIR Forum, which focused on maritime transport, the Portorož event marked a key step towards a final event scheduled to take place in Rome on 16 September 2025.
Filippo Alabardi, Executive Officer of the Permanent Secretariat of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, took part in the institutional segment of the conference, where he underlined the relevance of the Forum AIC as “one of the IAI’s most reliable and long-standing partners.” In his remarks, he recalled the recent launch of the DOAIR Observatory, a strategic instrument for data collection and investment planning that has already been formally recognised by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. He emphasised that connectivity—especially in road and rail infrastructure—is currently the macroregion’s most pressing political challenge. “Without modern and efficient infrastructure,” he stated, “there can be no genuine European integration.” Alabardi also recalled that transport and connectivity were central themes of the recent Greek Chairmanship of the AII, confirming their strategic value for the region’s future.
The full report of the event is available on the Forum AIC website:
https://www.forumaic.org/report-delleventoenhancing-road-and-rail-connectivity-in-the-adriatic-ionian-region-addressing-cross-border-challenges-through-institutional-dialogue-and-chambers-of-commerce-insigh/