The first meeting of the Committee of CEI National Coordinators under the Serbian Presidency was held in Belgrade on 21 February 2011.
The Coordinators were welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Vuk Jeremić, who presented the programme of the Serbian CEI Presidency. Minister Jeremić particularly highlighted the importance “Serbia gives to regional cooperation and good-neighbourly relations as prerequisites not only for the stability and security in the region, but also for its further European integration”. “The CEI provides an excellent platform for this important mission” he stated. In this context, Serbia will be committed to reaching a strengthened cooperation with the EU and all its institutions. It will focus in particular on further intensifying high-level political dialogue. As to the priority areas for CEI cooperation, Minister Jeremić underlined that agriculture, economy and business, culture, minorities and other topical issues of interest to the region will be on top of the Agenda.
The CEI Secretary General expressed his satisfaction with the priorities of the Presidency which contribute to CEI’s key mission: Regional Cooperation for European Integration. He also provided information about the most recent and planned CEI activities as well as on the activities regarding strengthened relations with the EU.
The meeting also examined the revised Rules for Allocation of Resources from the CEI Cooperation Fund aimed at ensuring a more efficient management of the Fund, financed by all Member States. Discussions on a new fund to enhance the support of the CEI to non-EU Member States, according to a proposal of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which manages the CEI Trust Fund, fully supported by Italy, will be held at the next CNC meeting due on 5 April 2011 in London, at the EBRD Headquarters.
For more information: arsova@cei-es.org
Minister Vuk Jeremić welcoming participants