PHOTO // Moldovan deputy PM says EU's enlargement strategic choice for stability, prosperity of continent

The enlargement of the European Union, in the current geopolitical context, is a strategic choice for the stability and prosperity of the continent, and the Central European Initiative (CEI) continues to support this process through concrete projects and political dialogue between participating states, for the benefit of citizens. Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi today made statements to this effect at the high-level conference organized in Trieste, Italy, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the CEI Executive Secretariat.

The official took part in the panel discussions titled, Promoting the CEI spirit: closer together in the region, stronger in Europe, alongside his Romanian counterpart Oana Toiu, representing the country holding the CEI Presidency-in-Office, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani, as well as other foreign ministers from the organization’s member states.

In his address, Mihai Popsoi underlined the role of the Central European Initiative as an important platform for dialogue and regional cooperation, which, over three decades, has supported economic development and the advancement of the European path of the states in the region. The minister also highlighted the solidarity of CEI member states, as well as the organization’s contribution to consolidating a more united, safer Europe, grounded in common values.

“Democracies cannot withstand alone – they need solidarity and cooperation in order to protect common values. For Moldova, the CEI is a bridge between regional cooperation and the European project, supporting the modernization of institutions, the alignment of legislation with EU standards and the strengthening of the rule of law. Our collaboration helps us implement national reforms, reinforce regional resilience and bring our societies closer to the European future chosen by our citizens,” stated Mihai Popsoi.

The conference, organized at the initiative of Italy, the host state of the CEI Executive Secretariat, and Romania, which will hold the CEI Presidency-in-Office in 2026, brought together the foreign ministers of the member states, as well as representatives of parliaments, chambers of commerce and think tanks.

The CEI is the largest intergovernmental forum for regional cooperation in Central and South-Eastern Europe, bringing together 16 states: nine EU member states and seven candidate countries. Moldova became a member of the Central European Initiative in 1996 and held the organization’s presidency in 2008 and 2023.

The participation of Moldova in the CEI provides access to regional projects, expertise and funding for initiatives in such areas as health, entrepreneurship, digitalization, environmental protection and others. In recent years, Moldova has benefited from the financing of 20 projects focused on strengthening institutional capacities, developing the business environment, green transition, innovation and advancing reforms related to European integration, from the CEI Cooperation Fund, as well as through the organization’s programmes implemented in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).