Styrian Presidency will be extended for another two years
Graz/Brussels (November 29th 2023) – In 2022 Styria officially took over the chairmanship of the Alps-Adriatic Alliance for the years 2022 and 2023.
With the election of Werner Amon as Styrian State Minister for European and International Affairs, Education and Human Resources, he also took over the chairmanship of the Alps-Adriatic-Alliance on July 5th 2022.
On November 28th 2023 the first Alps-Adriatic Council Meeting took place in Brussels at the Committee of the Regions with State Minister Werner Amon as chairman. During the meeting, Amon presented his priorities, such as supporting the EU-enlargement policy in the Western Balkans and the regaining of the historic northern Italian founding members as partners.
Another core decision of the meeting was the extension of the Styrian Presidency for the years 2024 and 2025.
In the evening State Minister Werner Amon hosted the Alps-Adriatic networking event at the Styrian Representation Office in Brussels where EU-Commissioner Johannes Hahn was invited as keynote speaker.
“Cooperation in Europe and also with the Western Balkans is more important than ever today given the global political situation. That is why I am convinced that the Alps-Adriatic-Alliance and the expansion of this network are essential. I am not only having accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, but I will also work to ensure that the Northern Italian founding members Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto become part of the Alliance again,” said State Minister Werner Amon.
A political Alps-Adriatic Conference is planned in Styria for the first quarter of 2024, which will serve both as an exchange platform for partner regions and for networking with potential new members.
Photo Credits: Alexander Louvet
The Alps-Adriatic Council in Brussels
State Minister Werner Amon in consultation with EU-Commissioner Johannes Hahn