The main theme of the Slovenian EUSAIR Presidency is green connectivity.

I.

The first and foremost priority is improving quality of life in the coastal areas of our shared sea

• by concrete changes

• by the implementation of regimes that are based on respect for coastal and marine ecosystem services in the EUSAIR area, especially in the Adriatic eco-region.

This goal can only be achieved:

• through the proactive participation of all stakeholders involved in environmental protection planning and sustainable land use in the Adriatic eco-region

• in the procedures of preparation of spatial plans at all levels (strategic, regional and municipal)

• by connecting, exchanging and building synergies between all four macro-regional strategies (Slovenia is included in three of the four strategies: the Adriatic-Ionian, the Danube and the Alpine).

II.

The second most important priority is the continuation of the European integration process of the Western Balkans.

The EUSAIR governance structure offers

• a unique platform for the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, which will be at the forefront during Slovenia’s Presidency.

III.

The Slovenian Presidency will also be heavily marked by the fact that EUSAIR will have to address the ongoing challenges related to CoVID-19 – particularly in view of the fact that health is a horizontal topic of the strategy. The first such exchange of views will take place within the framework of the Mediterranean Coast Week in September 2020.

During an EUSAIR Ministerial meeting held via video conference on 27 May 2020, it was agreed that recovery efforts following the COVID-19 crisis should strive for a »green recovery« in the spirit of the European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

IV.

In view of the fact that Slovenia is managing an EUSAIR Facility Point and that a large portion of its activities to date within EUSAIR have been devoted to strengthening competencies in the field of communication, one of the priorities of its Presidency will be to bolster communication with key EUSAIR stakeholders and to work with young people in the areas of communication and visibility.

V.

The Slovenian Presidency will improve EUSAIR's cooperation with youth.

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