On 6 November 2025, alongside the 14th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), national coordinators from both the EUSDR and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) gathered in Sarajevo. The joint meeting, titled “Enhancing EU Accession Support for Candidate Countries in EUSDR and EUSAIR,” convened representatives from EU Member States, candidate countries, the European Commission, and Interreg transnational programmes.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, presiding over the EUSDR, and North Macedonia, holding the EUSAIR Presidency, co-hosted the event. Both highlighted the strong relationship between EU enlargement and macro-regional cooperation. In their introductory statements, Midhat Džemić and Zuica Zmejkovska stressed that the two processes reinforce one another by fostering stability, peace, and sustainable development throughout the continent. They underlined that candidate countries’ engagement in macro-regional structures enables them to work alongside EU Member States as equal partners, strengthening institutional and administrative capacities and gaining practical experience relevant for accession.
The discussions centred on how macro-regional mechanisms can intensify support for EU integration through the progressive inclusion of candidate countries. Participants explored avenues for aligning reforms with EU norms, improving regional dialogue, and advancing shared goals in areas such as the green and digital transitions, innovation, and connectivity. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of engaging youth, civil society, and local governments in regional cooperation and decision-making processes.
Advancing sustainable development through cooperation, connectivity, and inclusion
All parties reiterated their commitment to moving forward together. Member States of the EU pledged to continue transferring knowledge and offering technical assistance to help candidate countries implement necessary reforms. Both macro-regional strategies will encourage thematic and priority area coordinators to integrate actions that facilitate gradual EU integration. Cooperation between the Danube Strategy Point and the EUSAIR Governance Point will be reinforced to ensure strategic coherence and improve visibility, while efforts to identify additional funding for accession-related activities and capacity building will be intensified.
According to the Sarajevo conclusions, the EUSDR and EUSAIR also committed to actively involving their youth networks in future activities and supporting initiatives that equip young people with skills and opportunities. These efforts aim to boost employment, contribute to regional development, and address the ongoing challenge of brain drain. At the thematic level, both strategies already assist the enlargement process through projects and flagship initiatives in which candidate countries participate on an equal footing. Further possibilities to strengthen support for enlargement will continue to be examined.
The Sarajevo gathering reaffirmed a unified resolve to deepen regional collaboration and advance European integration. Through coordinated macro-regional action, EU Member States and candidate countries seek to accelerate reforms, strengthen cooperation, and contribute to a more cohesive, resilient, and united Europe.
