On 11 June 2025, CEI Secretary General, Franco Dal Mas, met in Prague with Radek Rubeš, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
The meeting focused on regional cooperation, the European integration of candidate countries, and support for Ukraine, particularly in view of the upcoming international Ukraine Recovery Conferece 2025 to be held in Rome in July.
Dal Mas expressed gratitude to the Czech Republic for its consistent contribution to regional dialogue and the exchange of best practices, particularly in the fields of governance, innovation, and social cohesion.
“The Czech Republic is a bridge between those already in the Union and those striving to join. And enlargement is a deliberate political choice - a tool for peace, stability, and prosperity,” he stated.
Reaffirming the Czech Republic's strong support for Ukraine, State Secretary Rubeš underlined his country's keen interest in the outcomes of the upcoming Rome Conference.
The meeting also highlighted the strategic role of ports – such as the port of Trieste – as energy hubs for Central Europe. In this regard, with the TAL-PLUS project aimed at strengthening the Transalpine Pipeline, the Czech Republic seeks to secure stable and independent access to crude oil, with the goal of reducing its reliance on Russian supplies.
Fruitful talks were also held with Ambassador of Italy to the Czech Republic, Mauro Marsili.
For more info: arsova@cei.int
