On 21 September in New York, Secretary General Franco Dal Mas participated in the meeting of the "Friends of the Western Balkans", convened by Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, in the presence of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Addressing the Foreign Ministers of the Group, Secretary General Dal Mas reaffirmed the CEI’s longstanding support for European integration, focusing on two closely interconnected priorities for the region: connectivity and a stronger, more secure Europe. Echoing MinisterTajani's emphasis on the need to keep the Western Balkans high on the European agenda as essential for a strong and secure Europe.
On connectivity, the Secretary General highlighted the need to turn the geographical position of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe into a strategic opportunity. In this context, he pointed to the Trieste–Belgrade corridor as a potential backbone capable of strengthening links with Corridors V, VIII and X, stressing the importance of political support to fully develop its potential. This objective is also in line with the attention drawn by MinisterTajani to strengthening transport corridors and connections among the ports of the Northern Adriatic.
Dal Mas also highlighted the opportunities offered by the Three Seas dimension and the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), particularly given the geographical position of CEI countries. At the same time, he stressed that in an international environment that is increasingly interconnected but also increasingly unstable, connectivity and security must go hand in hand, including through efforts to counter hybrid threats and disinformation.
During the discussion, Ministers highlighted the importance of translating the European integration process into tangible results for citizens and economies, with attention also turning to the upcoming enlargement reports as an important next step in the process.
“Europe must also be built from the bottom up”, Dal Mas said, highlighting the role of regional cooperation and concrete initiatives in strengthening ties among countries, institutions and citizens." This approach is at the core of the CEI’s daily work and is translated into concrete action through instruments such as the CEI Fund at the EBRD, financed by Italy, which has generated a significant financial leverage effect, as well as initiatives such as the Falcone-Borsellino Programme, a tangible example of judicial cooperation across the region", he added.
