(ANSA) - TRIESTE, NOV 26 - "The CEI is today a unique bridge for regional cooperation, but we must build a clear vision around current priorities: supporting the European integration of the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine, as well as continuing to support Ukraine in the face of brutal Russian aggression," stated Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), at the CEI ministerial meeting held today in Belgrade under the Serbian Presidency. "Our task is to strengthen citizens' trust in institutions, improve connectivity, and invest in a better-prepared and more resilient generation," Dal Mas said. Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Tripodi represented Italy at the ministerial meeting, where she reiterated her support for regional cooperation and the CEI's role, as well as the importance of Italian-funded projects like the Falcone and Borsellino programmes. Member State representatives discussed the region's main strategic priorities, adopting a final declaration that, among other things, reaffirmed their firm support for enlargement and Ukraine, as well as issues such as transport and digital infrastructure, and energy networks, with a focus on the Connecting Europe Facility, the TEN-T and TEN-E networks, and new strategic initiatives such as IMEC. The meeting ended with the official handover of the CEI 2026 Presidency to Romania. (ANSA).