SPLIT MEETING OF ADRIATIC TOWNS' MAYORS ADOPTS DECLARATION

SPLIT, Sept 22 (Hina) - A two-day international forum of 25 Adriatic towns' mayors from Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Greece and Albania, which was held in Split in the past two days, ended on Friday with the adoption of a declaration. The forum adopted the conclusions of a conference on the development of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, held in Ancona in late May this year. The meeting emphasised the importance of developing the traffic system as an important precondition for economic and cultural progress of countries on the Adriatic coast. The Split declaration starts from the new role of local administration, town areas and big cities, as well as the establishment of an Adriatic system of ports as a precondition for a single system of control of transport of pollutants which can cause ecological disasters. The mayors also believe that a road network linking Adriatic ports with more developed countries of north Europe should be established as soon as possible. The project "Adriatic corridor" was described as very important. Also discussed was the Italy-Ploce-Sarajevo- Budapest transversal and the so-called Corridor 8 which links the Adriatic and Black Seas. Emphasised in the declaration is the construction of modern roads and a railway system East-West (northern Adriatic), which would facilitate the economic cooperation between the ports of Trieste, Koper and Rijeka. The participants also greeted the announced ministerial meeting of countries from the Adriatic-Ionian initiative, to be held in Split in early 2001. Also emphasised was the importance of building an Adriatic-Ionian highway as a new pan-European corridor and the role of the European Union and Stability Pact for Southeast Europe. The declaration urges the preservation of the Adriatic Sea and strongly opposes illegal traffic of goods and people. The next forum of Adriatic towns' mayors will be held in Bari, Italy in 2001. (hina) rml