The Managing Authority of the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme, Claudio Polignano, will take part in on 12 June 2026 the General Assembly and the celebrations marking the 20th Anniversary of the Adriatic-Ionian Euroregion (AIE), taking place in Tirana and hosted by the Tirana Regional Council. The event brings together institutional representatives, regional authorities and key stakeholders from across the Adriatic-Ionian area to reflect on two decades of cooperation and discuss future perspectives for territorial development and European integration. It will also include a seminar focused on Global Citizenship Education in IPA Countries, organised within the framework of the GEAR-UP!

The anniversary celebration represents an important opportunity to highlight the achievements of the Euroregion over the past twenty years and to reaffirm the strategic role of regional and local authorities in strengthening cooperation across the Adriatic-Ionian basin. Discussions focus on the challenges facing the region, the future of European territorial cooperation, and the contribution of Cohesion Policy to fostering sustainable and inclusive growth.

As part of the high-level panel entitled “The EU Cohesion Policy post-2027 and the European Territorial Cooperation Programmes: challenges and successes”, Claudio Polignano joins a distinguished group of institutional representatives and experts from across the Adriatic-Ionian area. The panel features Eridana Çano, General Director of the State Agency of Strategic Programming and Assistance Coordination of Albania; Raffaele Parlangeli, Director General of the Office for Territorial Policies and Territorial Cooperation of the Italian Department for Cohesion Policies; Armand Skapi, Secretary General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania; Paolo Galletta, Head of the Coordination and Monitoring Unit for ETC Programmes at the Italian Department for Cohesion Policies; Lodovico Gherardi, Coordinator of the Managing Authority Unit of the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme of the Emilia-Romagna Region; and Pierluigi Simonetti, Vice-Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Albania.

The discussion provides an opportunity to reflect on the future of EU Cohesion Policy and European Territorial Cooperation after 2027, highlighting both the achievements and the challenges facing cooperation programmes in the Adriatic-Ionian area. During the debate, participants explore how cooperation programmes can continue to support territorial cohesion, sustainable development and European integration, while responding effectively to emerging regional and global challenges.

Through its participation in the event, the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme reaffirms its commitment to strengthening cross-border cooperation and fostering partnerships that contribute to a more connected, resilient and prosperous Adriatic region.