CEI Secretary General Roberto Antonione was invited by the Montenegrin Prime Minister and Coordinator of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dritan Abazović to take part in the Meeting of Foreign Ministers and Ministers of European Affairs of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Budva, Montenegro, on 5 June. The event was organised by the current SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office of Montenegro.
The meeting aimed to discuss the achievements to date and further requirements for continuous progress in regional cooperation in South-East Europe, with a focus on: European integration; strengthening security; economic cooperation & connectivity; promoting sustainable development; and addressing the challenges linked to the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
During the discussion, the interventions also focused on international development cooperation and humanitarian aid, as well as energy and food security and diversification, especially in response to the disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine. Moreover, safety and stability in the Western Balkans were debated.
Secretary General Antonione presented the CEI’s activities to the Ministers and focused on the EU integration process, expressing his confidence toward the common goals and future cooperation. He also confirmed the Central European Initiative’s commitment to working closely with the European institutions and all the relevant regional stakeholders, such as the SEECP, to obtain common results.
SG Antonione presented the CEI’s activities with particular focus on the active role of the Organisation in the European integration and enlargement process. In this context, he informed the participants that the current CEI membership was composed of only EU countries and EU candidates. Moreover, he expressed the intention of the Organisation to cooperate with European institutions and all the relevant regional stakeholders, such as the SEECP, to make a relevant contribution to attaining the common objectives.
For more info: arsova@cei.int
