Official Visit of AII Secretary General Giovanni Castellaneta to the Republic of San Marino - 6 November 2025
The first official visit of the Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII), Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, to the Republic of San Marino took place on November 6th, at Palazzo Begni. The Secretary General was welcomed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Luca Beccari, together with the AII Senior Official for San Marino, Silvia Marchetti, and other representatives of the Secretariat of State.
The meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange views on San Marino’s role within the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and its contribution to the wider European integration process. Discussions focused on the principles of regional cohesion, connectivity and cooperation, as well as on the added value that countries with specific institutional features can bring to building a more connected and resilient Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
Secretary General Castellaneta expressed appreciation for the path undertaken by San Marino, which joined the AII in 2019 and became part of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) in 2022. He commended the Republic’s active and respected engagement within the regional framework and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s readiness to closely cooperate in view of the future San Marino Chairmanship of the AII (2028–2029) — a milestone that will further strengthen the country’s international role.
During the meeting, Ambassador Castellaneta also welcomed the imminent conclusion of the Association Agreement between San Marino and the European Union, describing it as a crucial step towards deeper integration into the European framework and enhanced participation in EU programmes and funding mechanisms.
Secretary of State Luca Beccari stressed that the meeting “has further strengthened a framework aimed at promoting regional cohesion and recognising the unique contribution of States united by common values of cooperation, dialogue and solidarity.”
Following the talks at Palazzo Begni, the Secretary General and his delegation were received in audience by the Captains Regent, Matteo Rossi and Lorenzo Bugli, at Palazzo Pubblico, where he signed the Book of Distinguished Guests. The Heads of State stressed that “only through integration, territorial cohesion and collaboration can we face the global challenges and transformations of our time with awareness and responsibility.”
The visit confirmed San Marino’s commitment to reinforcing its engagement within the Adriatic-Ionian framework and to contributing actively to the construction of a more inclusive, cooperative and united Europe.