The second meeting of the Committee of the National Coordinators of CEI member states: EU encourages the European integration of the Western Balkans

The second meeting of the Committee of the National Coordinators of CEI member states (CEI) within presidency of Montenegro over this important regional mechanism during 2021, was held today via video conference in organization of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

National Coordinator for the CEI, Director General for Multilateral Affairs, Ambassador Veljko Milonjić, presided the meeting, while representatives of 16 countries of the CEI and its Executive Secretary participated.

Special guests on the meeting were representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, with which cooperation between CEI and the EU institutions on the plan of encouraging of the process of European integration of the Western Balkans’ countries was reiterated, as well as support to the countries of the Eastern Partnership, with readiness for strengthening political and project cooperation between the EU and the CEI.

Director General Milonjić emphasized the importance of better synergy and organizing regular meetings of the Initiative, with presence of the EU officials, in order to provide coordinated and synchronized approach to the resolving of regional challenges and more active support to the CEI member states.

In the context of the following activities, the meeting of ministries of foreign affairs has been announced for June 23^rd in the virtual format. Participants welcomed realized activities within governmental, economic and parliamentary dimension of work, as well as actualities in the regard with funds and instruments from that project activities are financing.

On the meeting has been concluded that the Initiative, under two-year presidency of Montenegro, has reiterated unique role in the promotion of regional cooperation and prosperity of the Region, in the context of sustainable development of member states in reference to corona virus pandemic.