CEI Secretary General Franco Dal Mas, has concluded two days of intense and productive work in Rome, dedicated to institutional and political meetings focused on key European issues.
Last night, he took part in the working dinner of the Political Directors for the Western Balkans of the “Quint” countries – United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy – also attended by representatives of European institutions, including the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. The meeting, promoted and hosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, focused on regional cooperation in the Balkans.
In his remarks, Dal Mas highlighted
“the role of the CEI – the oldest regional organisation operating in Central and Eastern Europe – in fostering dialogue and socio-economic growth in the region and its ongoing commitment to supporting reforms undertaken by countries on their path to EU membership.”
Earlier that day, the Secretary General held a working meeting with the Special Envoy for the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), Ambassador Talò. In the afternoon, he attended a meeting – also promoted by the Italian MFA – dedicated to international connectivity, with a particular focus on the development of the emerging network of international traffic corridors between India and Europe. The meeting was attended by representatives of institutions – including from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region – and companies interested in the project, which also involves the city and port of Trieste, expected to serve as a potential European terminal (and hub) of the Corridor.
In his address, Dal Mas recalled
“the traditional role of the CEI and of Trieste as a geopolitical and economic hub towards Central Europe and the Balkan region, and the CEI’s active work in promoting connectivity in the area.” He also noted that “several CEI countries border the Upper Adriatic, while others face the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea, making them potentially interested in the development of the project within a framework of closer cooperation between Europe and India.”
Dal Mas concluded that the Secretariat in Trieste
“can make a significant contribution to raising awareness among its Member States of the importance of developing the IMEC Corridor, with particular attention to the positive effects in terms of international trade flows, starting with the ports of the Upper Adriatic, and Trieste above all.”
As part of the CEI’s efforts to increase public awareness of its work and initiatives, the Secretary General also gave an interview to the national press agency Italpress where he highlighted the CEI’s key areas of activity, particularly its support for the EU accession process of the Western Balkans, its participation in the upcoming international Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 to be held in Rome in July, and its commitment to enhancing connectivity in Europe and globally, as in the case of the IMEC.