(ANSA) - BELGRADE, AUG 31 - "The European continent is witnessing a devastating war as a result of Putin's Russia's massive aggression against Ukraine. Defending and supporting the Ukrainian people can only be considered a fundamental duty to affirm and defend the European Union's founding values of freedom and democracy," said Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), who attended the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) today in Bled, Slovenia. "In a scenario where even traditional Euro-Atlantic relations appear to be more uncertain, it is equally crucial to give new impetus to the European Union's enlargement process in the Western Balkans," Dal Mas added. "It is precisely in times like these that Europe must demonstrate its ability to shape its own future through bold political decisions." Dal Mas went on to say that the CEI is unwavering in its commitment to achieving these goals through regional cooperation, dialogue, and concrete support for candidate countries' European perspectives. At the BSF CEI Secretary General met with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, among others. (ANSA).