(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 21 SET - "Europe cannot be strong without the Western Balkans," said Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), speaking at the "Friends of the Western Balkans" meeting in New York, which was convened by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. According to Dal Mas, the Western Balkans must remain at the centre of the European agenda, particularly in terms of connectivity and a stronger, more secure Europe. Dal Mas emphasised the importance of transforming Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe's geographical position into a strategic opportunity in terms of connectivity. Given the geographical location of the CEI region's countries, Dal Mas emphasised the importance of focusing on the Trieste-Belgrade corridor as a potential key axis capable of strengthening links with Corridors V, VIII, and X. He also highlighted the opportunities presented by the Three Seas Initiative and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). "Europe must also be built from the bottom up," Dal Mas said in New York, emphasising the importance of regional cooperation and concrete initiatives in strengthening ties among countries, institutions, and citizens. (ANSA).