(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 01 OTT - "In the near future—meaning within five to ten years—the North Adriatic ports (not just Trieste and Monfalcone, but also Venice, Ravenna, Koper in Slovenia, and Rijeka in Croatia) will have to cooperate. Despite their competition, these ports continue to share "common interests and a common target market—Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans—as well as a shared goal of increasing volumes." This is the scenario outlined by Marco Consalvo, President of the Trieste and Monfalcone ports, on the sidelines of the Adria Shipping Summit, which was held at the Maritime Station and attended by operators from various domestic and international ports. While these ports are already affiliated with the North Adriatic Ports Association (NAPA), Consalvo envisions even closer collaboration. There may be "difficulties between the ports—with one growing while another declining—but the reality is that we need to attract as much business as possible," Consalvo said. For him, unification is critical for another reason: "When it comes to building port infrastructure, the costs associated with the various ports' development plans are exorbitant—running into the tens of billions." In the absence of public funding for these investments, having a joint project to present to the European Parliament and the European Commission gives us a chance to secure—let's call it—European funding." These resources would need to be "supplemented by private capital," which would eventually result in "increased competitiveness for the North Adriatic ports." (ANSA).