(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 17 MAR - "WHO/Europe and CEI stand close to the Western Balkans in supporting the EU accession process, including by strengthening health systems, preparedness and equity". Fabio Scano, WHO Special Envoy of the Regional Director for the Western Balkans, said this participating in the event in Trieste to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Central European Initiative reaffirming its "long-standing collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe". Scano also mentioned the partnership between CEI and WHO/Europe that "has combined political commitment and technical cooperation, and it culminated in 2021 to the endorsement of the WHO Roadmap for Health and Well-being in the Western Balkans, signed by the Prime Ministers of the Western Balkans countries. At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, we are reminded that multilateralism matters and that health can be a compass for peace, stability and dialogue across the region" Scano concluded. (ANSA).