The event, co-hosted by the Greek Presidency of the Council and the European Commission, will bring together over 500 stakeholders from a broad-cross section of organisations ranging from national, regional and local administrations, businesses, civil society, academia, and media.

Commissioner Damanaki will be joined by Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn. The event will be opened by Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of Greece. Foreign ministers from the eight countries in the region will attend as the European Commission gets ready to propose a tailor made strategy to reflect the needs and the capacities of the region. It follows a request from EU leaders in December 2012 to deliver the new macro-regional strategy by the end of 2014. The event marks the end of a wide consultation involving stakeholders from across the 8 countries.

The Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, adopted by the Commission on 30 November 2012, is integrated in the Strategy which will be structured around four key areas: marine and maritime growth, connecting the region (transport and energy networks), environmental quality and sustainable tourism. In addition, capacity building as well as research, innovation and small and medium side enterprises will inform the four key areas.