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First AII Committee of Senior Officials under the Chairmanship of North Macedonia - 21 October 2025, Skopje

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:

  1. Enhancing European integration and regional cooperation,

  2. Promoting human digital transformation,

  3. Strengthening connectivity and infrastructural development,

  4. Cultural regional cooperation and protection of cultural heritage, and

  5. 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.