Italia-Croatia

05/05/2026

STON (Croatia), April 20, 2026 – The historic setting of the Rector's Palace in Ston became the heart of Adriatic maritime cooperation today as the AdriaSAR (SAR Adriatic Connect) project successfully concluded its latest series of international workshops. This event marks a decisive step forward in the mission to harmonize Search and Rescue (SAR) operations between Italy and Croatia, funded by the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme. The proceedings opened with a distinguished welcome from the Mayor of Ston, who extended his warmest greetings to the Italian delegation. In his address, the Mayor emphasized the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties that link the two shores of the Adriatic, highlighting how the AdriaSAR project serves as a modern bridge to ensure the safety of all those who navigate these shared waters. His institutional salute underscored a strong political commitment to cross-border solidarity and technical innovation. The success of the events was made possible by the exemplary and proactive coordination of the local partners. The Ston Development Agency (RAST), together with the Municipality of Ston, played a pivotal role in organizing the complex logistics and thematic frameworks of the day. Their coordination ensured a seamless integration of institutional protocol and technical productivity, demonstrating the vital role that local development agencies play in transforming European policy into practical, territorial action. A cornerstone of the day was the active and authoritative presence of the Croatian Maritime SAR Authorities. Their participation was not merely formal; senior officials and experts took a leading role in the discussions, providing invaluable technical insights into the daily operational challenges faced at sea. This direct engagement ensured that the project’s future outputs—including the AdriaSAR open-source digital platform—are grounded in the real-world requirements of those who manage emergency responses. Building on the foundation laid during the previous meetings in Martano, the workshops tackled two critical pillars: • Administrative Synchronization: in the morning meeting partners worked alongside legal experts to map out the bureaucratic hurdles that currently slow down cross-border interventions. • Digital Interoperability: in the afternoon workshop the technical session focused on bridging the "data gap," with a specific focus on real-time information exchange and the definition of shared technical standards for the upcoming AdriaSAR platform. As the Lead Partner, the Municipality of Martano expressed deep satisfaction with the outcomes of the Ston mission. The collaborative spirit shown by the Croatian authorities and the impeccable hosting by the Ston partners have reinforced a shared vision: an Adriatic Sea where borders no longer represent an obstacle to saving lives