On 24 september 2025 at the “Friends of the Balkans” meeting, convened by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, in the presence of the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the Foreign Ministers of the Group, Secretary General Franco Dal Mas addressed the gathering, reiterating the need to speed up the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family.
He underlined the Organisation’s constant and daily commitment to promoting dialogue, cooperation and regional stability, recalling the decisive role of EU enlargement in this historical moment.
“The fundamental question remains the same – today more than ever: accept the outrageous fortune of fate, or accelerate – despite the difficulties and complexities of the moment – the goal of European integration? There is only one answer,” stated Dal Mas, stressing the CEI’s determination to strongly support this path.
On this occasion, the Secretary General also highlighted the new economic opportunity offered by the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which can strengthen the trade and infrastructure connections of the entire Western Balkans region. An opportunity which, if seized, will allow today’s challenges to be turned into concrete prospects for shared growth and development.
For more info: arsova@cei.int
