Meeting in Ancona between Italy, Croatia and Slovenia, the joint declaration

Meeting in Ancona between Italy, Croatia and Slovenia, the joint declaration

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, the Italian Republic and the Republic of Slovenia met in Ancona yesterday, 10 July 2023, to further deepen their cooperation focused on the northern Adriatic, taking advantage of the excellent results achieved so far thanks to this trilateral format.

Ministers have warmly welcomed the accession of Croatia to the Schengen area and the Eurozone on 1 January 2023 and the election of Slovenia as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the years 2024-2025.

Furthermore, the Ministers have condemned in the strongest terms the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Expressing their unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and its people, they reiterated full support for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the country, within its internationally recognized borders, including the waters territorial. The need to continue international support and assistance to Ukraine, including in the areas of recovery, post-conflict reconstruction and accountability, is underlined. Recognizing the importance of comprehensive mine action as a precondition for the social and economic revival of Ukraine, the Ministers welcomed the organization of the international donors' conference on humanitarian demining in Ukraine, which will be held in October 2023 in Zagreb, Croatia.

Pointing out the strategic importance of the Western Balkans region for the future of the European Union, ministers underlined the need for all countries in the region to accelerate the EU's path by committing to ambitious reform programmes. They reiterated theirs shared and firm support for the integration process of the Western Balkans, including by implementing concrete measures for accelerated and gradual integration in line with and building on the revised 2020 enlargement methodology. They called on the European Union to strengthen its role and contribution in order to increase the resilience of the Western Balkan countries to current challenges, including the effective fight against illegal migration.
Highlighting the key role played by regional cooperation, the ministers have welcomed the ambitious program of the Presidency/Croatian Presidency of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) as a great opportunity to further strengthen their cooperation in regional fora and organisations. Furthermore, they welcomed the designation of Trieste as the host city of the “Big Science Business Forum” the1-4 October 2024 as a concrete opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the respective technology and industry research infrastructures.
The Ministers underlined theirs commitment to further strengthen cooperation carried out through this trilateral format as a catalyst for promoting growth, prosperity and sustainability in the Northern Adriatic area. Developing partnerships between local communities, people and businesses will continue to guide their efforts to preserve its unique nature and promote its full potential in numerous areas.

Noting the agreement between Croatia and Italy on the delimitation of their exclusive economic zones (EEZ) signed on 24 May 2022, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to cooperate closely to address current and future challenges for the protection of the Adriatic Sea and the sustainability of its resources, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including Part IX on closed or semi-enclosed seas , as well as in accordance with applicable EU legislation. Furthermore, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to unhindered maritime trade and to respect for freedom of navigation and other freedoms in exclusive economic zones, including the right to conduct military exercises, in accordance with international law, in particular the UNCLOS and relevant international agreements.

The importance of maritime safety is recognised, recalled the IMO traffic separation systems in the Northern Adriatic and other international agreements concluded between the Adriatic States, including those in the field of naval signaling, VTS and SAR, and underlined the need for their potential improvement. In this regard, the ministers have welcomed the initiative to carry out a multi-purpose joint maritime exercise in September 2023, with the aim of testing and improving cooperation and coordination between authorities responsible for SAR operations and testing situational awareness and the use of communication systems/channels between authorities when carrying out joint SAR operations.
Ministers welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the transnational project “North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley” between Slovenia, Croatia and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, including the signing of a 25 million euro grant agreement with the European Commission.
They also welcome the further positive developments recorded since their last meeting in Lužnica, Croatia and based on the activities of the working groups, welcomed the following proposals for the future:

Connectivity
Noting with satisfaction the concrete steps in the dialogue between NAPA ports towards strengthening cooperation on common challenges such as decarbonisation, energy efficiency and digitalisation in ports, Ministers welcomed the association's intention to continue working together on a strategic study on the repositioning of NAPA in the international strategic context and considering the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Noting the numerous project ideas and initiatives currently under consideration to address common challenges and contribute to achieving the objectives of the European Maritime Space Concept and the Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility, Ministers expressed their support for further development and discussion within this trilateral framework of projects that will promote or establish intermodal connections between Slovenia, Croatia and Italy for both passenger and freight transport. They also reiterated the importance of pursuing activities that will lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in all modes of transport and improve resilience to external shocks or disruptions to supply chains. In light of the forthcoming adoption of the new TEN-T Regulation, Ministers note that there will be new opportunities to enhance trilateral cooperation along the new TEN-T corridor."Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean”.

Blue economy
The ministers reiterated the importance of collaborating on the implementation of existing multiannual management plans for small pelagic and demersal species in the Adriatic within the framework of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). As for the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Croatia and Italy, they have confirmed that fishing activities remain governed by the rules of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. Based on the results already achieved in this sector, the ministers noted that the Discussions on fisheries will continue in the framework of the ADRIATICA Group, including continued cooperation regarding data exchange in line with Control Regulation No. 1224/2009 and its implementing regulation (EC) no. 404/2011 for the establishment of fisheries data exchange through the so-called FLUX standard, as well as cooperation regarding the implementation of marine research surveys such as the MEDIAS, Solemon and MEDITS surveys implemented in the EU framework for data collection based on Regulation (EU) 2017/1004. Taking stock of ongoing projects on blue skills in INTERREG programs and existing multilateral frameworks, ministers agreed to explore possible support to strengthen cooperation between their respective national authorities/bodies, as well as universities, on creating attractive learning opportunities. career in sectors related to the sustainable blue economy.

Environmental Protection
Recalling the COP 23 Barcelona Convention of 4-8 December 2023 in Portorož, Slovenia, Ministers agreed on the importance and urgent need to protect and restore marine ecosystems in line with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030. Further work is needed on joint efforts for conservation measures in areas to be designated exclusive economic zones for the protection of biodiversity. Confirming the importance of further work on joint monitoring activities of migratory species, including the prevention of the introduction and establishment of invasive alien species (IAS), Ministers welcomed efforts to harmonize measures for the protection of Adriatic Sea. Remembering the project results “Ballast water management system for the protection of the Adriatic Sea – BALMAS”, Ministers underlined the need for more efficient decision-making on ballast water management, as well as for the establishment of an early warning system in Adriatic ports and monitoring of the port ecosystem. They encouraged efforts to establish further joint cooperation at the technical level in this area. The ministers confirmed the importance of the "agreement on the sub-regional emergency plan for the prevention, preparation and response to serious episodes of marine pollution in the Adriatic Sea" and welcomed the work carried out in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). They also recalled the provisions adopted within the Joint Commission for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea and Coastal Areas from Pollution and encouraged discussion on the continuation of its work. They also welcomed further efforts in the development of the draft Adriatic Sub-Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan and the work carried out so far by REMPEC.

Internal affairs
aware of the migratory pressure along the Western Balkan route, which Croatia, Italy and Slovenia are faced with, trilateral cooperation will be further strengthened regarding the strengthening of joint patrolling activities and related modalities; the improvement of readmission procedures; strengthening the exchange of information, including for investigative purposes; the coordination of national positions in the competent institutional bodies of the European Union. The common path of cooperation will also continue in areas of common interest, such as the fight against transnational organized crime, with particular attention to migrant smuggling networks, human trafficking, drug trafficking and cybercrime, as well as the development of shared approaches in preventing and combating terrorism and violent extremism.

Ministers will continue to encourage further cooperation in the four areas within the framework of the trilateral consultations mechanism. They invited the ad hoc working groups, in particular also their colleagues from the relevant ministries, to strengthen sectoral cooperation in the identified areas and to explore the possibilities of initiating regular dialogue and contacts at their level, so as to continue to give impetus constant cooperation in this format.

The next ministerial meeting will be held in Slovenia.