On 21 April 2026 – The CEI hosted at its Trieste headquarters the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Alpine – Western Balkans and Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean Rail Freight Corridors.
Bringing together the EU Coordinator Marian-Jean Marinescu, and representatives of the European Commission, the event - chaired by Vlasta Kampos Jerenec from the Ministry of Infrastructure of Slovenia - marked a significant step forward, in particular following the extension of the corridor to Trieste, and the further strengthening of its role as a strategic hub for regional and European connectivity.
In his welcoming remarks, CEI-ES representative Carlo Fortuna underlined that the meeting was following the recent celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the CEI - Executive Secretariat, held in Trieste on 17 March 2026. The anniversary had gathered ministers and high-level representatives from the CEI Member States, reaffirming the Organisation’s commitment to regional cooperation and European integration.
He explained that over the past three decades, the CEI had evolved from a forum for political dialogue into a platform for concrete cooperation, supporting economic and social development across Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe. And today, it continues to act as a bridge between EU and non-EU countries, supporting European integration and fostering synergies with key regional frameworks.
Connectivity is a CEI priority, as a key enabler of integration and growth. Through its activities, the Organisation is committed to fostering efficient, sustainable, and inclusive connectivity. In this regard, the CEI Fund at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, financed by Italy, supports technical assistance, capacity building, and know-how exchange across the region.
While the meeting focused primarily on freight transport, the CEI also highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve passenger connectivity across the region. Among recent initiatives is a feasibility study for the re-establishment of a passenger rail service connecting Trieste, Ljubljana, Zagreb, and Belgrade.
The CEI stressed the importance of continued cooperation among governments, railway operators, and infrastructure managers to restore these connections, which are key to advancing the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing transport challenges, reinforcing CEI’s role as a facilitator of dialogue and regional cooperation. Looking ahead, the CEI aims to further support projects linked to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), along both East–West and North–South corridors, contributing to enhancing regional integration.
More info: fortuna@cei.int
