Held in Rome on 30 April 2026, the conference “Regional cooperation and the role of the Central European Initiative in EU enlargement: the Republic of Moldova’s path towards accession” organised by the Embassy of Romania and the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the Italian Republic, in cooperation with the Istituto Luigi Sturzo, brought together high-level institutional representatives, diplomats, policymakers and experts.
30 years since Moldova’s accession to the CEI, the event provided a platform for discussion on the strategic role of regional frameworks in strengthening stability, resilience and integration of Moldova.
The conference featured the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Cristina Gherasimov, as well as the CEI National Coordinator for Italy, Minister Alfredo Maria Durante Mangoni. The discussions built on strengthened dialogue with Moldova and followed the recent visit to Chișinău by the CEI Secretary General, Franco Dal Mas, who met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi.
“Regional cooperation plays a fundamental role in supporting Moldova’s European path in a concrete and effective way. Platforms such as the CEI help us strengthen institutions, advance reforms, and bring our country closer to the European Union through tangible results,” said Cristina Gherasimov.
Discussions highlighted how regional cooperation represents a key instrument to accompany partners, i.e. Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkans along their EU path, contributing to strengthening the rule of law, institutional capacities, and economic and social resilience. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of the CEI as a platform fostering political dialogue and operational cooperation across Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
In this setting, Durante Mangoni stressed that the stability and security of the Republic of Moldova were essential for the whole of Europe. He noted that support for the country’s European integration path went hand in hand with strengthening regional cooperation, including through the CEI, which he described as a valuable training ground for preparing countries for accession to the European Union. He further underlined that
“concrete instruments, starting with the CEI Fund at the EBRD, together with actions in the fields of connectivity and capacity building, are essential to translate political commitment into tangible results”.
The event confirmed growing attention towards Moldova’s EU integration process and highlighted the role of regional platforms in supporting this path in a concrete and effective manner.