Dear Minister Mogherini, aware of the contemporary political situation in the international arena triggered by the current challenging circumstances in Ukraine, Iraq, Gaza and Libya and other areas of conflict, with high understanding and in full support of the European Union's foreign policy focus on these specific areas, I am nevertheless sending you this note through which I expresses my interest in the Italian Presidency's view of the future of the Adriatic-Ionian Region as it was mentioned in the Presidency program. During the exchange of views in yesterday's Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, you spoke about the Italian Presidency priorities on enlargement. You stated that you are a strong advocate of enlargement keeping in mind the EU Enlargement Strategy, which works not only in the interest of individual countries but in the interest of the European Union as a whole, and is aimed at ensuring economic and political prosperity and security. Presumably due to lack of time, you referred to countries in Southeastern Europe, yet you were not specific about the future of the Adriatic-Ionian region and its transport, energy, marine environment and maritime economy and fisheries. Furthermore, I am sure that you are aware of the Conference on the Western Balkans that was held on August 28th in Berlin, chaired by Chancellor Angela Merkl. The outcome of the Conference was the final Declaration which was set to provide a framework for a period of four years to help countries in the Western Balkans ''make real progress, resolve outstanding bilateral and internal issues and achieve reconciliation between societies in the region''. In regards to the final Declaration's reference on the 'transport community for the Western Balkans', coming from the most southern part of Croatia, more precisely from Dubrovnik, I am interested in your opinion as the future High Representative for foreign and security policy in the EU, as well as the Italian Presidency's opinion on the future of the Adriatic-Ionian Region. More specifically, I would like to know how actively you will work towards connecting the remaining countries outside the EU not only politically, but through expanding infrastructure, allowing them to become competitive and attractive for direct investment and further develop their economies. My particular interest lies in the Adriatic-Ionian Corridor and in knowing whether you are able to foresee the dynamics of the projects realization? Regardless of the fact that this matter is not directly linked to your portfolio, I am interested in knowing whether you will advocate for necessary EU funds which will ensure territories of the European Union, in particular two parts of Croatia, to be connected by a project the European Commission pre-feasibility study proclaimed as ''the most appropriate solution'' for connecting Croatia's south to the rest of the Country- PeljeĹĄac Bridge. With my sincere congratulations on your new post, I look forward to your reply. Kindest regards,
Dubravka Ĺ uica, MEP
European Parliament ASP 14E 153, Rue Wiertz 60, B-1047 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 28 45175 Fax: +32 (0)2 28 49453
dubravka.suica@europarl.europa.eu