Organised together with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Romanian CEI Presidency 2026, and the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), on 17 March 2026, the CEI celebrated the 30th Anniversary of its Executive Secretariat with a high-level Conference in Trieste, held under the title “Thirty years of cooperation and commitment: Turning Policy into Action.”
Bringing together Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Ministers, State Secretaries, parliamentary representatives, and institutional partners from across the CEI area, the event confirmed the Initiative’s continued political relevance in today’s evolving European and geopolitical landscape.
A message from the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, was delivered on the occasion, recalling that with the establishment of the Secretariat in Trieste, the CEI had gradually evolved into a stable platform for dialogue, collaboration and mutual trust among its Member States, contributing to their development and integration into the European family.
The Conference was opened by Secretary General Franco Dal Mas, who reaffirmed the commitment of the Secretariat to advancing the CEI’s mission of fostering European integration and sustainable development, and featured a keynote address by Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, representing the Host Country.
Min Tajani highlighted the strategic value of the Organisation, stating that this anniversary marks an important milestone for an Initiative that serves as a key reference point for the reunification of Europe. He stressed the need to advance the European integration process, underlining the CEI’s unique role in bringing together key countries of the enlargement process, including the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova.
The CEI reaffirmed its commitment to turning political dialogue into concrete action, strengthening cooperation across Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, and contributing to a united, stable and forward-looking Europe.
The two panels focused on strengthening regional cooperation and shaping a more strategic, visible and results-oriented future for the Initiative. Particular attention was given to the role of the CEI Presidency, held by Romania in 2026, in promoting political dialogue and enhancing the CEI’s impact.
Speaking on behalf of the CEI Presidency, Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu highlighted the importance of reinforcing the Initiative’s political relevance in a rapidly evolving geopolitical context. She stressed the need to maintain momentum on European integration and to strengthen regional cooperation, recalling the CEI’s unique role as a platform for dialogue among EU Member States and candidate countries. Emphasising a vision of countries being closer in the region and stronger in Europe, she called for a more strategic and results-oriented approach capable of delivering tangible benefits and supporting stability, reform processes and convergence across the wider European area.
Participants also underlined the importance of strengthening the CEI’s operational dimension through a project-driven approach, capable of addressing key challenges such as connectivity, energy security and sustainable development, while enhancing regional cohesion.
The outcomes of the Conference are reflected in the Chair’s Statement.
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