On 6 November 2026, foreign ministers and delegations from 16 Member States gathered in Bucharest for the annual Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs under the Romanian CEI Presidency.
The event, held under the theme Closer in the Region, Stronger in Europe, was chaired by Romania’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dan Neculăescu, providing an opportunity for the ministers to exchange views on how regional cooperation could support European integration, work together for a more developed, connected and resilient Europe, support Ukraine and prepare the CEI for the next decade.
They adopted a Joint Statement in which they expressed support for the prospect of delegated cooperation with the European Commission. Subject to accreditation, this could enable the Commission to entrust the CEI with implementing EU-funded programmes in areas such as cross-border connectivity and support for candidate countries on their path to EU membership.
Ministers also approved decisions to confer the CEI Presidency on Ukraine for 2027, revive the CEI Summit by expanding its composition to include Heads of State, and increase the CEI Cooperation Fund budget for 2027.
They also adopted the CEI Plan of Action 2027–2030, which will guide the Organisation’s work over the next four years, and acknowledged the IAI policy paper containing valuable reflections on the CEI’s future.
On the eve of the Ministerial Meeting, Secretary General Franco Dal Mas held bilateral talks with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, and took part in a joint press conference with Sybiha and Romania’s Foreign Minister Dan Neculăescu. Sybiha briefed on the intensification of Russian attacks against Ukraine and on efforts to secure a just and lasting peace, thanking the CEI for its humanitarian assistance and continued support.
Looking ahead to Ukraine’s 2027 CEI Presidency, he outlined plans for activities across the CEI’s four dimensions (governental, parliamentary, economic and local) and reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to reviving the CEI Summit after several years, expressing Ukraine’s readiness to host it in 2027.
Sybiha said that “Ukraine is ready to bring a new momentum to the Central European Initiative”, identifying shared security, Ukraine’s reconstruction and its path to EU membership as priorities for the incoming Presidency. He also highlighted regional connectivity, energy security, trade, cybersecurity and cooperation to counter disinformation, and called for greater involvement of parliaments and local and regional authorities in the CEI’s work, as well as the development of a dedicated youth dimension.
Dal Mas reaffirmed the CEI’s solidarity with Ukraine. He expressed support for the priorities of Ukraine’s incoming Presidency, and noted that they were in line with the CEI’s strategic priorities. He pointed to the revival of the CEI Summit as a step towards strengthening the Organisation’s political role and stressed the importance of also strengthening the CEI’s ties with the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD.
“The CEI brings EU Member States and candidate countries together to work on shared priorities. Through that cooperation, we can support Ukraine’s recovery and contribute to the reunification of Europe.”, said Dal Mas.
The meeting concluded with the formal handover of the CEI Presidency from Romania to Ukraine.
The Ministerial was held back to back with the meeting of the Committee of National Coordinators, which prepared the ground for the important decisions.
For more info: arsova@cei.int
