Adriatic Ionian Initiative (AII)
Considering the specific nature of the sea and the coastal area, the countries co-operate in a number of fields, with six round tables representing the framework of aII activities. The round tables include: the fight against organised crime; environmental protection and sustainable development; economy, tourism and small and medium-sized enterprises co-operation; transport and maritime co-operation; culture and education; and inter-university co-operation.
Slovenia held the presidency in the period 2003-2004. During its presidency Slovenia, in the framework of culture, focused on an integrated approach to the conservation of cultural heritage and on the implementation of international legal instruments in this field. The main topics discussed were archaeological research in heritage protection, underwater cultural heritage, integrated conservation of protected areas and salt pans as eco-museums. Slovenia also included the Slovene coast with the University of Primorska in the activities during its presidency.