This year’s CEI Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs entitled “The Mission of the CEI on the Eve of its 25th Anniversary”, was held under the Hungarian Presidency on 31 October in Gödöllő (Hungary). Chaired by Mr. János Martonyi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary, it was attended by his colleagues from nine countries, i.e. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. The meeting was also attended by seven Deputy Ministers from Austria, Belarus, Croatia, Italy, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine and a high representative from Poland. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, in his capacity of President of the Council of the European Union, the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs of the USA and the representative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) were present at the meeting as Special Guests.
On that occasion, the Ministers had the opportunity to evaluate the results achieved during the two and a half decades since the CEI’s establishment and to reflect upon its future role. They praised the role of the Organisation as an important political forum for regional cooperation, which contributes to strengthening relations among its Member States. The Ministers affirmed that “Regional Cooperation for European Integration” remained the CEI’s basic aim and mission and supported the idea to strengthen the role of the CEI as “a Bridge between Macroregions”. The Ministers also praised the CEI’s project-oriented cooperation approach, thanks to its various funds and instruments of cooperation, which had provided support for the creation of a successful model for regional cooperation, necessary for enhancing dialogue and economic growth of the countries of the region, especially the non-EU CEI Member States.
In this context, the Ministers endorsed the new CEI Plan of Action 2014-2016, expressing hope that it would be conducive to the EU Enlargement. This document, to be submitted for final adoption by the Heads of Government, should provide a clear definition of the CEI’s mission and strategic objectives, including measures for structural and financial strengthening. It is also expected to enhance the Organisation’s visibility and cooperation among its Member States in a number of priority areas. Furtherrmore, the new Plan of Action is aligned with the entry into force of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 and in line with provisions of the EU 2020 Strategy on a knowledge-based, sustainable and inclusive economy.
During the gathering, the Ministers also agreed upon the decisions on the revitalisation of the CEI Business Dimension and on the obligatory contributions to the CEI Cooperation Fund for 2014.
The Meeting was concluded with the approval of the Joint Communiqué.
For more information: arsova@cei.int
On that occasion, the Ministers had the opportunity to evaluate the results achieved during the two and a half decades since the CEI’s establishment and to reflect upon its future role. They praised the role of the Organisation as an important political forum for regional cooperation, which contributes to strengthening relations among its Member States. The Ministers affirmed that “Regional Cooperation for European Integration” remained the CEI’s basic aim and mission and supported the idea to strengthen the role of the CEI as “a Bridge between Macroregions”. The Ministers also praised the CEI’s project-oriented cooperation approach, thanks to its various funds and instruments of cooperation, which had provided support for the creation of a successful model for regional cooperation, necessary for enhancing dialogue and economic growth of the countries of the region, especially the non-EU CEI Member States.
In this context, the Ministers endorsed the new CEI Plan of Action 2014-2016, expressing hope that it would be conducive to the EU Enlargement. This document, to be submitted for final adoption by the Heads of Government, should provide a clear definition of the CEI’s mission and strategic objectives, including measures for structural and financial strengthening. It is also expected to enhance the Organisation’s visibility and cooperation among its Member States in a number of priority areas. Furtherrmore, the new Plan of Action is aligned with the entry into force of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 and in line with provisions of the EU 2020 Strategy on a knowledge-based, sustainable and inclusive economy.
During the gathering, the Ministers also agreed upon the decisions on the revitalisation of the CEI Business Dimension and on the obligatory contributions to the CEI Cooperation Fund for 2014.
The Meeting was concluded with the approval of the Joint Communiqué.
For more information: arsova@cei.int