Strengthening regional cooperation to support European integration, stability and development was the focus of the conference “The Central European Initiative – Turning a Vision into Reality”, held at the Italian Senate in Rome on 29 October 2026. The event concluded the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the CEI Executive Secretariat.
Initiated by Senator Maurizio Gasparri, President of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, and held under the patronage of the Italian Senate, the conference brought together institutional representatives and experts to discuss the Organisation’s future.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, highlighted the CEI’s value as an instrument for peace and dialogue, reaffirming Italy’s commitment to the European integration of the Western Balkans and its support for Ukraine. He described Ukraine’s forthcoming CEI Presidency as a concrete expression of solidarity and acknowledged Secretary General Franco Dal Mas’s active engagement in promoting regional cooperation.
Connectivity featured prominently in Tajani’s remarks, including the Trieste–Ljubljana–Zagreb–Belgrade axis and the role of Adriatic ports as gateways to Central and South-Eastern Europe, also in the context of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
“EU enlargement to the Western Balkans is not a generous concession; it is a historical necessity,” said Secretary General Dal Mas, identifying the reunification of the European family as the guiding ambition of the CEI’s work. He highlighted the Organisation’s practical contribution through the CEI Cooperation Fund, the Italian-funded CEI Fund at the EBRD and the Falcone–Borsellino Programme, which draws on Italian legal expertise to support the rule of law in EU candidate countries.
Dal Mas underlined the importance of infrastructure, technological, cultural and human connections. Discussions also addressed closer cooperation with the European Commission, including the prospect of delegated cooperation, to build on the CEI’s regional experience and operational capacity.
Reaffirming that “defending Ukraine means defending Europe”, Dal Mas recalled support for public transport in Ternopil and the provision of generators by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, facilitated by the CEI. He also stressed that democracy requires the protection of freedoms and the rule of law alongside majority support.
Senator Stefania Craxi described the Executive Secretariat as “a true institutional infrastructure for regional cooperation”, recalling the resolution she introduced in support of the CEI, unanimously adopted by the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.
Senator Graziano Delrio highlighted bipartisan support for the Organisation and its contribution to European integration.
Michele Valensise, President of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), presented the policy paper prepared by the Institute as scientific partner of the anniversary celebrations. He outlined a perspective for the CEI to strengthen its role from a platform for dialogue to an active contributor to EU enlargement, confirming IAI’s readiness to support this development.
Romanian Ambassador to Italy Gabriela Dancău, speaking on behalf of the Romanian CEI Presidency, also highlighted the CEI’s value as a platform bringing together EU and non-EU countries, fostering dialogue and practical cooperation in support of European integration.
The proceedings were moderated by Alfredo Durante Mangoni.
The conference highlighted broad institutional support for strengthening the CEI’s capacity to turn dialogue between EU and non-EU countries into joint projects, exchanges of expertise and practical opportunities across the region.
