Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi was delighted to receive the news of Italian Ambassador to Paris Giovanni Caracciolo’s appointment to the post of Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), formally announced today by the organization and in effect as of January 1st 2013.
“The appointment of Ambassador Caracciolo”, Terzi underscored, “is acknowledgement of Italy’s deep commitment, and not least through regional cooperation, to the European aspirations of the countries of the Balkans region and of Eastern Europe. I am particularly pleased”, the minister continued, “that the profound understanding and experience of the region that Ambassador Caracciolo has gained over the course of a long career can now be placed at the service of the CEI”.
The foreign ministry also recalled how Italy was one of the founders and first contributors to the Central European Initiative, hosting its headquarters in the city of Trieste and ensuring its efficiency.
Active in the sectors of infrastructure, energy and transport, the CEI gives major impetus to the European integration of those of its members that do not yet belong to the European Union, contributing to their adaptation to Community standards and promoting international investments in their favour through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (over €4 billion since 1992).
The CEI has had UN General Assembly observer status for one year now. Ambassador Caracciolo is preparing for his new role after a lengthy career that has included posts as Ambassador to Belgrade and Director General for the Countries of Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The CEI members number 18, nine of which are EU members (Austria, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary), one of which is in the accession process (Croatia) and 8 that are non-EU members (Albania, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine). The organisation’s 2012 Presidency is held by Ukraine, which will be succeeded in 2013 by Hungary.
