(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JUL 10 - "The enlargement of the European Union goes far beyond accession negotiations. Alignment with the acquis is critical, but successful integration also necessitates trust, practical cooperation, and long-term partnerships among countries," said Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), who attended today's meeting of Foreign Ministers of the "Friends of the Western Balkans" Group at Villa Madama. "Regional cooperation contributes to the concrete realisation of the European vision by connecting institutions, local communities, universities, businesses, public administrations, and civil society. This is the role that the Central European Initiative has played for more than three decades," Dal Mas added. "CEI will continue," Dal Mas emphasised, "to use its experience and cooperation network to support the European Union's enlargement. Supporting the accession processes of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova means contributing to the European continent's reunification through cooperation, dialogue, and the establishment of concrete ties between our countries." (ANSA).