The CEI – Executive Secretariat had the honour today of welcoming Senator Stefania Craxi, President of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of the Italian Senate, for an institutional visit.
During the meeting with the Secretary General, Franco Dal Mas, and his staff, the main activities and priorities of the Secretariat were outlined, with particular attention to its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, supporting the European enlargement process and promoting stability and sustainable development in its 17 Member States of Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe.
Senator Craxi emphasised the CEI's important role as a platform for political dialogue and a concrete instrument for peace, highlighting in particular, the value of the Organisation's Parliamentary Dimension as a space for democratic debate capable of enriching and complementing the action of the Organistion’s Governmental Dimension.
“The Central European Initiative represents an essential bridge between the European Union and the countries of the Balkans and Central and Eastern Europe. Its commitment to promoting dialogue, cooperation and sustainable development complements and enriches the work of national and European institutions. The Italian Parliament recognises the value of the CEI Parliamentary Dimension as a fundamental tool for strengthening mutual trust and consolidating the European integration process”, said Sen Craxi.
In this setting, the upcoming meetings under the Serbian Presidency were highlighted as a valuable opportunity to foster direct exchange between the two dimensions and address the challenges of the CEI region with a coordinated approach. These meetings include the CEI Parliamentary Assembly, which is to be held in Belgrade on 3 and 4 November, and the subsequent of CEI Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
The visit is part of the established relations between the CEI and Italian institutions, and confirms the Italian Parliament's commitment to cohesion, security, and European integration.
