Today Secretary General Franco Dal Mas, met in Brussels with senior officials of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), as well as with the Permanent Representatives of Italy, Ambassador Vincenzo Celeste, and Romania, Ambassador Iulia Matei, whose country currently holds the CEI Presidency.
“At a time marked by complex geopolitical challenges and the risk of fragmentation, regional cooperation remains an essential tool for supporting the European integration process and strengthening the stability of our region. Through its ability to translate political dialogue into concrete projects and opportunities for cooperation, the CEI continues to make a tangible contribution to bringing candidate countries closer to the European Union and to building a more resilient and interconnected region,” stressed Franco Dal Mas.
Particular attention was devoted to the CEI’s role in supporting the European integration process through an inclusive and equal dialogue between EU Member States and candidate countries. It was also highlighted how the Initiative contributes to fostering convergence towards European standards and values by connecting institutions and facilitating the exchange of expertise and experience developed across the region.
DG ENEST representatives were further briefed on the CEI’s role as a complementary instrument to European Union policies, capable of directly engaging local authorities, universities, civil society organisations, young people and economic operators.
“This is the CEI’s added value: serving as a bridge between EU Member States and non-EU countries, enabling those with experience in the European integration process to share knowledge, expertise and good practices with those following the same path,” added Dal Mas.
This approach is reflected in the CEI Fund at the EBRD – financed by Italy – through the Know-how Exchange Programme (KEP) and the Technical Cooperation Programme, as well as in the CEI Cooperation Fund and EU-funded projects, which contribute to strengthening institutional capacities, facilitating knowledge transfer and promoting concrete initiatives for the benefit of communities across the region.
The meetings also addressed the CEI’s continued support for Ukraine and explored possible areas for further cooperation.
The Secretary General was accompanied by Minister Alfredo Durante Mangoni, Italian National Coordinator for the CEI, and by Lidija Arsova, CEI-ES representative responsible for external relations.
The mission reaffirms the CEI’s commitment – in the context of the Organisation’s ongoing strategic renewal and strengthening process, recently marked by the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Executive Secretariat – to further contribute to the mutually reinforcing objectives of European integration and regional cooperation, while enhancing the Initiative’s role as a facilitator of dialogue and collaboration between EU Member States and candidate countries.
For more info: arsova@cei.int
