CEI Secretary General, Amb. Gerhard Pfanzelter, addressed the conference on the Development Scenarios of the Adriatic-Balkan Region (Gorizia, 8 March 2010).
In outlining the CEI role in the Region, Amb. Pfanzelter emphasized the need to create a wide cooperation network between Adriatic and Balkan countries, in line with the EU policies.
The CEI - thanks to its membership which covers both Balkan and Adriatic countries, the well-functioning intergovernmental machinery, its consolidated instruments and funds - has become a trusted and credible actor in the region and could further contribute to the development of this area as an integrated macro-regional system. He also pointed out that the impressive political and financial commitment of Italy to the CEI has made the organization a key player in the region.