EU
Funds of EUR 106m on Adriatic IPA Cross-border Co-operation Programme 2007-2013JAN, 30.2009
European Commission approved a Cross-border Co-operation Programme for the period 2007-2013. Community funding for the programme over the period 2007-2009 is worth around EUR 90m, supplemented in turn by about EUR 16m of national funding from the participating countries. The programme’s total value therefore is approximately EUR 106m.
PARTECIPATIONS
In the Cross-border Co-operation Programme participated three EU Member States (Greece, Italy, Slovenia), one candidate country (Croatia) and three potential candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro). The Programme was adopted under and co-financed by the cross-border co-operation component of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Serbia will participate in the programme at the phasing-out stage and co-operation will focus on institutional capacity-building.
The Cross-border Co-operation Programme is a continuation and extension of the two previous Neighbourhood Programmes 2004-2006: ‘Italy-Adriatic’ and ‘Italy-Albania’.
The overall aim remains largely unchanged: strengthening sustainable development capabilities in the Adriatic region through a concerted strategy of action between the partners of the eligible territories. This overall aim has been broken down into three specific objectives by the participating countries. These are:
To foster sustainable economic growth
To promote social cohesion and co-operation
To further develop the attractiveness and quality of life in maritime border regions (approximately 30% of total funding).
This third priority will be targeted at promoting, improving and developing transport, information and communication services. Support will be aimed at modernising and strengthening port and airport facilities in order to optimise existing potential through service improvements, better security and the upgrading of existing facilities. The programme will seek to provide an efficient, safe and sustainable transportation system with a view to achieving integrated development in the Adriatic region and creating access to neighbouring territories. Information and communication networks, as tools for exchanges of good practices, will be enhanced and developed further.
