The meeting of the CEI Committee of National Coordinators (CNC), held in Bucharest on 26 February 2026, officially marked the start of the Romanian CEI Presidency 2026.
The gathering was opened by H.E. Oana-Silvia Țoiu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, and CEI Secretary General Franco Dal Mas, who reaffirmed the CEI’s role as a platform for political dialogue supporting European integration, regional cohesion and sustainable development across the region.
Under the motto “Closer in the Region, Stronger in Europe,” Minister Țoiu outlined the five key priorities of the Romanian Presidency 2026: European integration; connectivity; information resilience; local dimension; youth.
Reiterating Romania’s full commitment to regional cooperation as a complementary dimension of the EU accession process, Minister Țoiu underlined that:
“Romania views the integration of the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova not merely as a technical exercise, but as a strategic necessity for the region. Enlargement is a vital geopolitical investment that strengthens the EU’s global standing.”
During the meeting, National Coordinators exchanged views on initiatives advancing the CEI’s mission and marked four years since the start of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They reviewed ongoing CEI activities in support of Kyiv and explored possible further actions. Ukraine appreciated the support and confirmed its commitment to the CEI, announcing its eagerness for the Presidency in 2027.
Secretary General Franco Dal Mas expressed his appreciation for Romania’s leadership, stating the Romanian Presidency’s priorities were timely and responded well to today’s challenges, reinforcing the CEI as a platform for dialogue and coordination in the region.
"In a decisive moment for Europe, our shared responsibility is to advance European integration while maintaining steadfast support to Ukraine.”
The meeting also provided an opportunity to take stock of preparations for the high-level Conference marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the CEI Executive Secretariat (1996–2026), to be held on 17 March 2026 in Trieste.
The event, promoted by Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, in cooperation with Minister Țoiu in her capacity as CEI Presidency 2026, will outline future perspectives for the CEI within a more cohesive and integrated Europe. Foreign Ministers of CEI Member States and other high-level representatives are expected to attend.
For more info: arsova@cei.int
