Ansamed

(ANSAmed) - BARI, JULY 22 - The president of the Apulia region, Nichi Vendola, is to invite the presidents of the Adriatic and Ionian (Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily) regions, the president of the Committee of Regions, Mercedes Bresso, and the Foreign Minister (the promoter of the initiative) to Bari's ''Fiera Del Levante'' (Fair of the East) on September 17. The event is being held to begin the setting up of the Adriatic-Ionic macro-region, which is to be implemented by 2014.

The news was announced today at the end of a meeting at the headquarters of the Apulia region by the undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Alfredo Mantica, and Vendola. The project is part of the European Union's vast strategy of defining macro-regions made up of European countries and other countries in the process of joining.

The regions adhering to the Adriatic-Ionic macro-region initiative are Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily and, of course, Apulia. The latter, says Mantica, ''was chosen by the national government to launch the project because of its strategic role and geographical position''.

As well as Italy, Slovenia and Greece (both EU countries) are interested in the project, as are Balkan states (in pre-integration to the EU). Vendola was keen to point out that ''relations between the Foreign Ministry and the Apulia region have for some time been marked by the constitutional principle of loyal collaboration and in the last few years, production has become a joint mission, with each side respecting the prerogatives of the law, in an atmosphere of collaboration, demonstrating a good understanding''.

''The Apulia region is ready to carry out this project, not least imagining the drawing up of the 2014-2020 plan, in order to place Adriatic-Ionic region themes at the centre of future European programmes. September 17 will provide an important opportunity to bring together the Foreign Minister and the regions of the Adriatic and the Ionian in order to discuss ties and network contacts, but also energy, issues that make this sea an architrave of the future Europe''. (ANSAmed).