Conference agenda
Full schedule of the International Conference on the Geopolitics of Transport, 8 June 2026.
Date
8 June 2026
Venue
Praetorian Palace, Koper
Check-in
From 8:30
Start
9:00
Jump to session
Programme · 8 June 2026 · Koper – Capodistria
09:00–09:30
Opening of the International Conference
Rado Bohinc
President, Euro-Mediterranean University
Peter Grk
Secretary General, Bled Strategic Forum
Maja Pucelj
EUNicoast Local Coordinator
Welcome address
09:30–10:30
Keynote Session
High-Level Governmental Addresses
High-level transport representatives from the EU and from foreign and transport ministries
of Slovenia, Italy, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.*
Tone Kajzer*, Slovenian Ambassador and Diplomat
High-level reflections on European and Mediterranean transport diplomacy
Vladimir Prebilič, Member of European Parliament
European perspectives on Mediterranean Regional Development
Matjaž Nemec, Member of European Parliament
EU action for Mediterranean Stabilisation
10:30–10:45
Coffee Networking Break
10:45–12:00
Setting the stage: introductory panel
Chair:
Mounir Ghribi, Euro-Mediterranean University
Introductory reflections on security policy, EU maritime strategy and maritime rule‑of‑law.
Andrej Benedejčič, Slovenian Permanent Representative at NATO
War or Peace? Security Policy in an Unsecure World
Claudio Cressati, University of Udine
EU as a guarantor for the freedom of navigation?
Luka Juri, Euro-Mediterranean University
The Contemporary Political Rebalancing: Fasten your Seatbelts
Lorenzo Noto, Italian Geopolitics Journal Limes
Is the Mediterranean still an open sea?
12:00–13:30
Executive Panel
Chair:
Marko Pavliha, University of Ljubljana
Are we all on the same boat? Mediterranean policy in an era of international crisis
Nevenka Kržan, President, Luka Koper Management Board
Marco Consalvo, President, Eastern Adriatic Sea Port Authority (Trieste & Monfalcone)
Santiago J. Castellà Surribas*, President, Tarragona Port Authority
Alen Jugović*, Supervisory Board, Rijeka Port Authority
13:30–14:30
Lunch and Networking Break
14:30–15:45
Focused Panel I
Chair:
Alfredo Antonini, University of Udine
From Suez Shocks to Arctic Shortcuts: Power Shifts, Maritime Insecurity, and the Future of the Mediterranean in Global Trade
Nagwa Samak, Galala University Suez
Changing trade costs, investment decisions and sovereign risk profiles
Daniele Casciano, University of Udine
Risk, Reliance and Insurance in Defining Trade Routes
Patrick Vlačič, University of Ljubljana
Geopolitical Instability, Rule of Law and Freedom of Navigation
Matej Zakonjšek, Director, Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community
European Corridors, a Coordinated Network or List of Competitors?
15:45–17:15
Open Fishbowl Session
Chair:
Roberto Biloslavo, Euro-Mediterranean University
From Shorelines to Strategy: Mediterranean Scenarios from a Common Managing Agency to Operative Competition
Igor Jakomin, Euro-Mediterranean University
Interoperability, Cooperation and Competition
Luka Vukić, University of Split
Port Management Models: Authorities, Central Management, Companies
Bojan Hlača, President of the Governing Council, Port of Rijeka Authority
Rail Transport, Corridors and Port Competitiveness
Maurizio Maresca, University of Udine
Regulation, Competition and Port Governance in the EU
Paolo Costa, University of Venice
Do we need a European Port Authority?
17:15–17:30
Coffee Networking Break
17:30–19:00
Focused Panel II
Chair:
Anna Masutti, University of Bologna
Shipowners and Railways as Market Makers: Public and Private Compatibility in View of EU Regulation, Infrastructure Investment and Corridor Redefinition
Josep Lluís Díez i Besora, Univerity of Rovira i Virgili, Catalonia
Regulatory Compliance and Stakeholders
Aleksandar Dobrijević, Deputy Director, Slovenian Railways Transport Institute
Connecting Ports and Central Europe
Nedžad Branković, University of Sarajevo
Railways linking ports to markets
Gracijan Necmeskal, President, Slovenian Ship and Freight Agents Association
Shipowners and Ports: A Dynamic Partnership
Davide Maresca, University of Genova
EU Law, Governance, Cooperation and Competition
