The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Edmondo Cirielli, participated today at the Sturzo Institute at a conference dedicated to the contribution of regional cooperation and transnational economic projects to European security, Ukraine’s recovery, and the EU accession process. The Conference was organized by the Romanian Presidency of the Central European Initiative (CEI) – whose Executive Secretariat is hosted by Italy – and the Embassy of Ukraine in Rome.
Deputy Minister Cirielli highlighted the CEI’s role as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among EU Member States, Balkan countries, and Eastern partners wishing to join the Union, reaffirming Italy’s support for the Initiative in view of the upcoming Ukrainian Presidency. In particular, the Deputy Minister reaffirmed the strategic importance of extending the European enlargement process to the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus within the current sensitive geopolitical context.
Finally, connectivity, the diversification of energy sources, and progressive alignment with European standards were identified as central elements of Italy’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and its path toward European integration. This support is also channelled through Italian development cooperation and instruments such as the CEI Fund – housed within the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and funded by Italy – within the framework of bilateral civilian assistance to Ukraine, which has exceeded €3.2 billion since 2022.