(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JUN 9 - "In a period marked by complex geopolitical challenges and the risk of fragmentation, regional cooperation remains an essential tool to support the European integration process and strengthen regional stability," said Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI). Dal Mas met today in Brussels with senior officials from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood, as well as the Permanent Representatives of Italy and Romania, Vincenzo Celeste and Iulia Matei. Romania currently holds the CEI's rotating presidency. "Thanks to its ability to transform political dialogue into concrete projects and opportunities for collaboration, the CEI continues to make a tangible contribution to bringing candidate countries closer to the European Union and building a more resilient and connected region," Dal Mas stated. Dal Mas concluded that CEI continues to serve as "a bridge between EU member states and non-EU countries, allowing those who have already gained experience in the European integration process to share knowledge, skills, and best practices with those who are embarking on the same journey." (ANSA).