The virtual workshop, bearing the title: "Creating New Synergies for Regional Sustainable Connectivity took place on the 13th of May 2022, and it was organized within the framework of the Athens Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process, under the joint auspices of the Hellenic Ministries of Infrastructure & Transport and Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy.
Cross-border cooperation between regions and investments in infrastructure and green connectivity remains crucial for the development, integration, and cohesion in South-East Europe. It should also be taken into consideration that the European Green Deal forms part of the EU’s key roadmap to make the Continent climate-neutral by 2050. We need to combine the efforts, of governments, citizens, and market actors, in order to address future mobility and energy needs from a holistic perspective. The “Fit-4-55” package addresses horizontally the decarbonization of transport in its multiple dimensions, in transport, maritime, and aviation.
The workshop was split into two parts:
· Part A: Sustainable and Smart Mobility: The case of sustainable tourism mobility and
· Part B: Challenges and Perspectives in the South East European Region
A welcoming address was forwarded by Mr. Konstantinos Valavanis, the Hellenic Infrastructure and Transport Ministry’s Director General for External Affairs, Infrastructure and Transport Security Policy.
Involved guests from all sectors (maritime, aviation and transport) who took the floor in said order and touched upon:
Part A
Ms. Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Europe followed by
Ms. Maria Deligianni, National Director, Eastern Mediterranean Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Green Transport and sustainable tourism – Tourism industry’s role in making transport greener.
Minas Papadakis, CEO Heraklion Port Authority SA, regarding Greek Shipping proposal on reducing maritime transport emissions.
Mr. Michael O’Connor, Manager Environmental Services, Athens International Airport, on Aviation connectivity’s role in reducing transport and tourism emissions.
Ms. Liana Gouta, Group Director, Energy Policy and International Affairs, Hellenic Petroleum Holdings SA, who spoke about alternative fuels crucial role in achieving Green Transport, and
Mr. Antonis Trakakis, Technical Director, Rina Hellas Ltd, Marine Southern Europe & Africa Area who introduced a new scalable solution for meeting IMO 2050 challenges.
Part B
Professor Pierluigi Coppola, EUSAIR Pillar II and Transport sub-group Coordinator, presented the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) with particular focus on EUSAIR’s draft Masterplan and the wider Challenges and Perspectives in the South East European Region.
A closing address was forwarded by Ms. Effie Lianou, General Director of Ports, Port's Policy and Maritime Investments, Hellenic Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy.