(ANSA) - BELGRADE, NOV 19 - "Our presence in Kyiv confirmed the CEI's long-term political and concrete support for Ukraine," said Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), who was in Kyiv on an institutional mission. He met the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Italian Ambassador Carlo Formosa. The mission took place in conjunction with the International Conference on Food Security, to which Dal Mas was invited by Ukrainian authorities. "I enthusiastically welcome Minister Sybiha's announcement of Ukraine's intention to assume the CEI Presidency in 2027," Dal Mas said, describing it as a "politically strong signal that demonstrates interest in our Organisation and Ukraine's proactive approach in its European journey.""The CEI, for its part, is ready to support this, and Ukraine can count on our full support," Dal Mas concluded. (ANSA).