Meetings with institutional representatives and international partners in Bled to strengthen dialogue and regional cooperation
On 31 August 2026 Secretary General Franco Dal Mas attended the 21st edition of the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) in Slovenia, one of the leading international platforms for political and strategic dialogue in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
Held under the theme “The Power to Shape the Future”, the 2026 edition brought together political leaders and representatives of national and international institutions, including the Presidents of Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia, as well as several Foreign Ministers. Discussions focused on the profound transformations affecting the current geopolitical landscape and on Europe’s ability to play an active role in shaping the future of the continent.
During the Forum, Secretary General Dal Mas had several opportunities for brief informal exchanges with institutional representatives, government officials, international organisations and regional partners. These included, among others Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia Timčo Mucunski; Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orbán; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović; and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.
The exchanges provided a further opportunity to maintain an active dialogue with key CEI interlocutors on major issues on the European and regional agenda, with particular attention to connectivity, artificial intelligence, support for Ukraine and Moldova, and the European prospects of the candidate countries of the Western Balkans.
“The European continent is experiencing a devastating war following Putin’s Russia’s large-scale aggression against Ukraine. Defending and supporting the Ukrainian people must therefore remain a fundamental duty if we are to uphold and protect the founding values of the European Union: freedom and democracy. At a time when traditional Euro-Atlantic relations also appear more uncertain, it is equally essential to give renewed impetus to the process of EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans.”
“It is precisely at moments such as this that Europe must demonstrate that it has the power to shape its own future through strong political determination. The CEI remains fully committed to contributing to these objectives through regional cooperation, dialogue and concrete support for the European perspective of the candidate countries. Our experience shows that regional cooperation can prepare and accompany this process, contributing to the progressive reunification of Europe. The serious crises currently affecting our continent are also a test for European political leadership and its ability to build a more cohesive and secure Europe, capable of continuing to stand as a safeguard of freedom, democracy and civilisation,” Dal Mas said.
