On 15 April 2025, the CEI Committee of National Coordinators gathered at the premises of the Serbian Mission to Brussels, under the Serbian CEI Presidency 2025.
In opening the session, Danijel Apostolović, Ambassador and Head of the Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, welcomed the participants on behalf of the host country. In his remarks, he stressed the relevance of regional cooperation formats like the CEI in complementing the EU enlargement process.
The gathering chaired by CEI National Coordinator for Serbia, Milos Todorović served as a key opportunity to reinforce cooperation between the CEI and European institutions, with particular focus on the Organisation’s role in the European integration process.
CEI Secretary General, Franco Dal Mas, stated that
Strengthening the ties between the CEI and the European Union is essential to support our Member States, especially those in the Western Balkans, on their path towards European integration. The CEI continues to be a platform for strategic dialogue, able to generate concrete and inclusive cooperation, as also underlined by Minister Antonio Tajani during his recent visit to the CEI Headquarters in Trieste.
The meeting also welcomed representatives of the CEI Parliamentary Dimension, including Darko Laketic, from the Serbian Parliament and Salvatore Caiata from Italy, highlighting the importance of synergy between the parliamentary and governmental dimensions in addressing politically relevant issues such as enlargement and cooperation with EU institutions as well the multi-level approach of the CEI.
Officials from the European Commission also took part, including Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans (DG NEAR), and Maja Bakran Marcich Deputy Director -General (DG MOVE) - both acknowledging the CEI’s role in supporting the enlargement process with activities aimed at meeting the EU standards and fostering regional connectivity.
In this setting, concrete actions promoted by the CEI were highlighted, e.g. the Falcone-Borsellino project fostering judicial diplomacy, and the Trieste-Belgrade railway corridor project.
The meeting was also a chance to review recent institutional developments and ongoing projects under the Serbian CEI Presidency. Updates were provided on the CEI’s cooperation instruments, the recently launched CEI Cooperation Fund Call, and the activities CEI Fund at the EBRD, financed by Italy.
As the Organisation looks ahead to its upcoming activities, the exchange in Brussels reaffirmed the CEI’s role as a reliable partner in promoting European values and regional integration.
For more info: arsova@cei.int
