(ANSA) - TRIESTE, MAY 28 - It is necessary to establish a 'local dimension', if possible by the end of the year, in which the local authorities of the 17 CEI countries can co-operate, knowing the needs of their territory better than anyone else.

This 'local dimension' can fit in with the intergovernmental and parliamentary 'dimensions', which represent the institutional levels through which the CEI countries usually develop a dialogue. This proposal was launched by the parliamentary delegations of the Central European Initiative (CEI), of which Italy holds the presidency for 2019, gathered in Trieste.

The proposal, the president of the Italian Delegation and current chairman of the CEI Parliamentary Assembly, Marco Maggioni explained during a press conference at the Fvg Region headquarters, aims ''to launch a new model of transversal cooperation across the Adriatic Sea and the Balkan area, in order to strengthen local authorities and regional authorities within the integration process, and build a network of relationships focusing on interconnected development, mutual exchange and growth of their respective economies''. The meeting was held ahead of the summit of foreign ministers of the CEI countries scheduled for June 11 and 12 in Trieste.

Parliamentary delegations from Italy, Croatia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Hungary attended the meeting.
The president of the Fvg Region Massimiliano Fedriga underlined that the proposal is “strategic” to the region, given "our important economic and political relationship with central Europe, extending from the Port of Trieste to Hungary" and said that it is appropriate to "strengthen relations".
According to CEI Secretary General Roberto Antonione, "such collaboration can also contribute to the security of all the countries involved", claiming that, "the first example in Europe already exists, and that is a joint team of firefighters between Italy and neighboring countries in the field of common aid activities. If the foreign ministers of the 17 countries approve the proposal, we will launch a new dimension of collaboration". The MP and former governor of Fvg Debora Serracchiani also attended both the press conference and the meeting.


(ANSA).