The European integration process is the only viable solution for preserving peace, security and economic prosperity in the region. This, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu, is the unanimous conclusion of the participants at the Annual Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the member states of the Central European Initiative.
According to Nicu Popescu, the key position of the Moldovan presidency within the Central European Initiative was indisputable: European integration must remain the political priority of the CEI candidate states.
The CEI members welcomed the European Commission’s decision to recommend to the EU member states the start of accession negotiations for Moldova, Ukraine, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Nicu Popescu added that the dramatic effects of the unjustified aggression of the Russian Federation on Ukraine were also discussed during the meeting, mentioning the support for the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
The minister noted that during this year the meetings of the national CEI coordinators were hosted in Brussels, Istanbul, Chisinau and Trieste, where the CEI plan for 2024-2026 was discussed, as well as other important topics. Moldova is to hand over the CEI presidency to Albania.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Besart Kadia, said that Albania considers that the presidency held by Moldova in CEI was extraordinary and this accelerates the process of European integration. Albania will continue at the CEI presidency what Moldova did this year: the political dialogue with an emphasis on peace, stability and economic progress. Albania condemns Russia’s war against Ukraine. As for the war in Israel, he supports the right of the Palestinians to have their own state and he supports Israel’s security. He also said Albania would continue to support EU enlargement in the Western Balkans.
The general secretary of the Central European Initiative, Roberto Antonione, stated that the presidency of Moldova in CEI was a successful one and he is sure that Albania will continue to do an extraordinary job. CEI’s priority is to facilitate the integration process of the member states in the EU. The signals are good and efforts must be continued to facilitate the process, emphasized Roberto Antonione, convinced that in the future all CEI members will become part of the EU.
