14th CEI Dubrovnik Diplomatic Forum on “EU and its Neighbours: Prospects and Challenges”

High ranking academics, experienced foreign service officers and young diplomats gathered on 2 - 4 June on the occasion of the 14^th CEI Dubrovnik Diplomatic Forum organised by the Croatian Diplomatic Academy in cooperation with the CEI.

This CEI feature event aims at developing better understanding through an exchange of views on various aspects of diplomacy and diplomatic training.

The forum was opened by CEI Secretary General, Amb. Gerhard Pfanzelter who introduced the main theme of the event:  “EU and its Neighbours: Prospects and Challenges”.

In his introductory speech, he highlighted the role of the CEI in promoting regional cooperation with the aim of accelerating the EU integration process. He also pointed out that the CEI found itself in a unique geographical position to act as a bridge between different EU macro-regions.

Participants paid special attention to the main EU external action policies and instruments such as the Black Sea Strategy, the Eastern Partnership, the EU Enlargement process, the European Neighbourhood Policy, and the  Union for the Mediterranean.

This year’s Forum was also attended by representatives from non CEI Member States: Azerbaijan, Algeria, Egypt, Malta, and Russia.