Romania took over, on Wednesday, the chairmanship-in-office of the Central European Initiative (CEI) for the year 2026, informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

The event took place in the context of the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the CEI member states, organized by Serbia as the chairmanship-in-office of the initiative.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, had a recorded intervention in which she emphasized Romania's increased commitment to regional cooperation and presented the priorities of the mandate of the Romanian CEI presidency.

These include: supporting the European integration of the candidate states, by maintaining the role of the CEI as a binder between the EU member states and the candidate states; strengthening the economic and business dimension in the CEI space, including by boosting connectivity projects; capitalizing on the local dimension of the ECI, by involving local authorities, communities and citizens; maintaining focus on the fight against disinformation and strengthening resilience, given the significant impact that hybrid threats can have on the stability of societies.

At the ministerial meeting in Belgrade, Romania was represented by the Secretary of State for Romania's accession process to the OECD, economic cooperation, the UN and Francophonie, Luca Niculescu.

In his speech, he appreciated the efforts made by Foreign Minister Marko Djuric and the Serbian presidency team throughout the current mandate in order to strengthen the role of the ECI as a platform for dialogue and cooperation both among the Member States and between them and the EU.

State Secretary Luca Niculescu highlighted the progress of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkan partners in the EU accession process, underlining the need for a credible and merit-based enlargement process anchored in reforms. The Romanian dignitary condemned the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine, an ECI member state, and reiterated Romania's multidimensional support for Ukraine.

He welcomed the Republic of Moldova's firm choice to join the European Union, despite the extensive challenges it faces every day - hybrid attacks and the effects of the war against Ukraine.

The event ended with the adoption of a Joint Declaration, a document reconfirming the support of the ECI member states for the EU enlargement process, support for Ukraine and reconfirming the role of the ECI as a regional cooperation platform in support of European integration and the sustainable development of the member states. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)