by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviewees: Maurizio Gasparri, President of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee; Franco Dal Mas, Secretary General Central European Initiative (CEI)
The growing strategic importance of the Central European Initiative (CEI) in European diplomacy and international trade was the focus of an institutional meeting on Friday, June 19, between Maurizio Gasparri, President of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and CEI Secretary General Franco Dal Mas at the organization’s headquarters in Trieste.
The discussion highlighted the CEI’s evolving role as a bridge between European nations at a time of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global trade routes.
Dal Mas reflected on the organization’s recent 30th anniversary celebrations, held in March, noting that member states had recognized the CEI’s contribution to European integration through practical, day-to-day regional cooperation.
“This revitalization of the CEI is reflected in the level of participation,” Dal Mas said. “Today, the organization includes a deputy secretary-general representing the Hungarian government, a deputy secretary-general who is a Serbian ambassador, and a deputy secretary-general from Ukraine. Within the CEI, we have reunited Europe.”
He also underscored the symbolic significance of Ukraine assuming the CEI presidency in 2027, a development he said demonstrates the organization’s commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation across the continent.
Gasparri, who has longstanding ties to the CEI and previously led Italy’s parliamentary delegation to the organization, described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen support for the regions represented within the initiative.
“The aim is to address the needs of the CEI regions so that they receive greater attention within the framework of institutional policies that are of great importance to Italy,” he said.
The senator linked the CEI’s activities to Italy’s broader economic objectives, including the government’s target of reaching €700 billion in exports by 2027. In this context, he emphasized the strategic role of ports, infrastructure, and international partnerships in supporting the country’s commercial ambitions.
The conversation extended beyond institutional matters to encompass some of the most pressing political and geopolitical issues facing Italy and Europe.
Gasparri defended the unity of Italy’s center-right governing coalition, dismissing concerns that the emergence of new nationalist movements could weaken its cohesion. He also reiterated support for the government’s migration policies, including the continuation of border controls with neighboring Slovenia.
International trade routes and maritime security featured prominently in the discussion. Gasparri pointed to ongoing instability affecting both the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, warning of the consequences for global commerce and highlighting the direct implications for Trieste, one of Italy’s most important port cities.
Looking ahead, he voiced support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), describing it as a promising long-term alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. According to Gasparri, the project could create new opportunities for Adriatic ports, with Trieste well positioned to benefit from increased trade flows between Europe and Asia.
The meeting underscored Trieste’s continuing role as a diplomatic crossroads and strategic gateway between Central Europe, the Balkans, and the wider Mediterranean region—a position that both the CEI and Italy hope to leverage in an increasingly interconnected and competitive global landscape.
