12 June 2026, Tirana, Albania. The Adriatic Ionian Euroregion (AIE) celebrated its 20th anniversary with the high-level event “20 Years of the Adriatic Ionian Euroregion: Vision for the Future of the AIE Regions”, hosted by the Region of Tirana and led by AIE’s newly elected President, Aldrin DALIPI.
The anniversary event brought together political leaders, institutional representatives, experts, stakeholders from across the Adriatic-Ionian area, and local youth. Among the distinguished participants was His Excellency Bajram BEGAJ, President of the Republic of Albania, alongside representatives of the Albanian Government and Parliament, including Ervin DEMO, Minister of State for Local Government, and Taulant BALLA, Chair of the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and Head of the Albanian Parliamentary Delegation to the European Parliament.
Their contributions underscored the strategic value of Adriatic-Ionian cooperation in promoting cohesion, economic development, and stronger multilevel governance.
A key session reflected on the Euroregion’s evolution since its foundation in 2006. Former and current Presidents highlighted the organisation’s role in fostering cooperation among local and regional authorities from EU Member States and candidate countries. The session was moderated by the current President, Aldrin DALIPI, and featured former Presidents Ivan JAKOVČIĆ, Michele IORIO, and Nikola DOBROSLAVIĆ, together with Giovanni DI STASI, former President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
Looking ahead, technical experts discussed the future of European Cohesion Policy and Territorial Cooperation in the post-2027 EU programming period, stressing the importance of maintaining strong support for cross-border cooperation within both the Adriatic-Ionian and Mediterranean basins and macro-regions.
The event also showcased the GearUP! Project as a concrete opportunity to promote youth engagement in the Western Balkans. Representatives of 16 youth organisations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia presented local initiatives demonstrating how youth participation and international cooperation can contribute to more sustainable and inclusive communities.
The discussions and reflections emerging from the Tirana event confirmed that future challenges can only be addressed through partnership, dialogue, and shared responsibility. Twenty years after its foundation, the Adriatic-Ionian Euroregion remains a unique platform connecting territories, institutions, citizens, and young people across borders.
PHOTO ALBUM OF THE EVENT
