Among many other aspects, the declaration encourages the AII/EUSAIR participating countries, candidates to the EU membership, to remain focused on reforms aimed at demonstrating their adherence to the European values, standards and principles; emphasises that cooperation in the framework of the AII/EUSAIR is instrumentalfor further facilitating EU candidate countries’ paths towards EU integration; acknowledgesthe AII and EUSAIR’s role in supporting EU candidate countries onthe path towards EU integration and WELCOME “EU Enlargement” as a cross-cuttingissue as emerged within the works for revising the EUSAIR Action Plan; welcomes the efforts made in embedding the Strategy in all cohesion policy and IPA programmes, enabling thus financing of the Strategy priorities through existing funds, and CALL for further effort during the implementation of the programmes;

In particular, it also RECOGNISEs the prominent role of research, innovation, smart specialisation, circular economy, education and culture as essential drivers for green and digital transition of the economy and society, as tools of regional cooperation and for addressing the long-standing challenges faced by young people in the region;

STRESSes the essential role of regional cooperation and people-to-people exchanges including academic, cultural and sport mobility and their unique potential to contribute to political stabilisation and to enhance economic opportunities through mutual understanding, fostering greater tolerance and democratic participation, promoting European values and strengthening the cohesion of society;
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