On 3-4 July 2018, the Port of Luka Koper hosted the 2nd Steering Committee meeting of the ADRIPASS project, financed by ERDF and IPA funds under the Interreg ADRION Programme. The port of Koper welcomed the representatives of the project consortium, highlighting the importance of this cooperation project for the entire area. The CEI-Executive Secretariat (CEI-ES) in its capacity as Lead Partner, introduced the project state-of-the-art and gave an overview of the upcoming activities.

After the finalisation of the methodology for the data collection on Border Crossing Points, the representatives from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki gave an overview of the process for data collection and the tools to be used by all Partners in order to launch this phase. Partners also discussed the available sources at national/regional level and the importance to involve stakeholders and Associated Partners in the process. SEETO (South-east Europe Transport Observatory) provided information on recent studies and ongoing researches.

Project partners also had the chance to receive information about the expected time plan for the pilot action implementation: 4 pilot actions and one pre-investment study are envisaged to take place within the ADRIPASS project, focusing on upgrading ICT tools for improving and streamlining maritime to hinterland freight flows in the Western Balcans. The representatives of the Ports involved in the project presented the milestones and the expected development plans of their Port Community Systems.  The Region of Thesprothia/Epirus highlighted the benefits of the pilot action for the whole region.

On  4 July, the CEI-ES focused on Management and administrative procedures regarding the reporting process. It also presented a summary of the Steering Committee meeting outcomes and defined a detailed action list for their implementation. The gathering was complemented with bilateral consultations on allocated tasks and activities to be performed by each partner.

The next meeting is envisaged to take place in Ploce (Croatia) on February 2019.