(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JUN 24 - "Democracy is not a definitive achievement, but must be continuously strengthened, defended, and renewed through dialogue, cooperation, and the direct involvement of people," saidCEI Secretary General Franco Dal Mas, speaking at the international conference "Building Resilience Through Sharing Democratic Experiences: a CEI Appraisal." The Central European Initiative (CEI) and the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw co-organized the event in Warsaw, with support from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Romanian CEI Presidency. The initiative aimed to strengthen democratic institutions, support the European path of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova, and use regional cooperation to promote stability and security. The event anticipated the 'Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026,' which is scheduled for June 25 and 26 in Gdansk and will integrate the reconstruction debate with the value perspective of democratic systems. (ANSA).