On 12 June 2026, the Falcone-Borsellino Programme for Central and South-Eastern Europe was officially launched at the CEI headquarters. Promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) within the framework of Italy’s legal diplomacy initiatives and developed in cooperation with the CEI Executive Secretariat, the Programme is designed to strengthen the capacities of justice and security institutions through the transfer of specialised expertise, the exchange of best practices, and enhanced operational cooperation in the fight against organised crime, corruption, and emerging security threats.
The launch event brought together representatives from ministries of justice and interior affairs, prosecution services, anti-corruption authorities, and law enforcement agencies from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine, alongside officials from MAECI and the CEI.
Secretary General Franco Dal Mas highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative within the broader framework of regional cooperation and European integration. He emphasised the CEI’s role as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among EU Member States, candidate countries, and regional partners.
Participants reviewed the key challenges identified by the beneficiary countries and agreed on a set of common priorities, including the fight against corruption and money laundering, asset recovery, international judicial cooperation, and the prevention and prosecution of cybercrime.
The meeting also marked the beginning of the Programme’s operational phase, with participants endorsing a first package of activities, including field missions scheduled for the second half of 2026.
Building on the extensive experience and expertise developed by Italian institutions, the Falcone-Borsellino Programme replicates the successful model already implemented in Latin America and the Caribbean. Conceived as a long-term initiative, it seeks to establish a sustainable network of operational cooperation among participating countries, contributing to the strengthening of the rule of law, institutional resilience, and the advancement of European integration across the region.
