Bratislava – Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD), confirmed to the new Secretary-General of the Central European Initiative, Franc Dal Mas, Slovakia’s interest in strengthening cooperation within the Central European Initiative as the oldest regional grouping in Europe. According to him, its contribution is invaluable, especially in the areas of European Union (EU) enlargement. This was reported to TASR by the communication department of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MFAEA).
The head of Slovak diplomacy noted that the Central European Initiative has played an important role in the integration process during its more than 35-year existence and has helped candidate countries on their path to the EU.
“From Slovakia’s position, it is important that European integration is completed both for the Western Balkan states and in relation to Ukraine or Moldova, fundamentally based on meeting the same conditions for entry into the Union. There should be no shortcuts or double standards in this process, as we agreed with the new Secretary-General,” Blanár stated.
The partners, according to him, highlighted Serbia’s presidency of the Central European Initiative, which can play a significant role from this position.
“We advocate for the European Commission to take a more ambitious approach in the accession negotiations to prevent the people of the Western Balkans, who have been waiting for more than 20 years, from losing faith in the future of their countries in the EU,” the minister added.
The Central European Initiative was established in 1989. The Slovak Republic has been a member since 1993, and it is set to take over its rotating presidency in 2028. The organization was created as an intergovernmental forum for political, economic, and cultural cooperation among its member countries, which currently number 17 states. At the time of its inception, the main goal was to assist Central European countries in the process of their rapprochement to the EU. After the successful enlargement of the Union in 2004, the CEI began to prioritize focusing on the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership countries. (February 13)
“From Slovakia’s position, it is important that European integration is completed both for the Western Balkan states and in relation to Ukraine or Moldova, fundamentally based on meeting the same conditions for entry into the Union. There should be no shortcuts or double standards in this process, as we agreed with the new Secretary-General.” Juraj Blanár.
