An Adriatic macroregion is being talked about as an instrument to favour the European integration for the Balkans, but it is the shadow cast by the Greek crisis that has been talked about during the meeting of heads of parliament from Adriatic-Ionic Initiative (IAI) countries, which has been held in Bari.

Gianfranco Fini, Chamber speaker, was talking about the meeting, and spoke reassuringly about the subsequent risks for Italy (whose situation is not comparable with other countries, he says), though he admitted that there was concern and awareness that EU solidarity towards Greece was of importance to the European Union, but that this should go hand in hand with virtuous behaviour on the part of Greek authorities.

The undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Alfredo Mantica, also spoke out on this issue, and was critical towards Germany, where regional elections are taking place on May 9.

''We understand that this is very important to them,'' he said, ''but we must understand whether or not Europe is more important than a regional election''. He also pointed out that Italy was the first country to call for help to be given to Greece, saying that financial speculation had played ''a key role''.

''There is great concern,'' he added, ''because weakness, in this case that of Europe as a whole, is dangerous for an area that already has many problems to solve. When we spoke about a European macroregion, we were talking about this desire to bring this whole area up to European standards''.

Meanwhile, the head of the Croatian parliament, Luka Bebic, said that ''the crisis did not arrive suddenly, and is not only the consequence of the world crisis, there are also other causes, but member-states should show solidarity while Greece must take necessary measures''.

As for Croatia, which hopes to enter the EU in 2012, ''we are aware as EU candidates that our deficit cannot rise above the 3% mark and we maintain this. Sometimes difficult measures need to be taken, but it is the only way to guarantee monetary stability''.

The Greek representative at the meeting naturally had his own view. '

'The worry is that Greece might not be the only country in danger,'' said Tilemacho Chytspis, the chairman of parliamentary group for cooperation between Greece and Italy.

''We will see if Portugal and Spain stand firm, but especially if the euro stands firm. We have taken drastic measures and we still hope for the aid package''.