Romania to Assume the Chairmanship of the Central European Initiative Starting January 1, 2026

Romania is set to take over the chairmanship of the Central European Initiative (CEI) starting January 1, 2026, according to the rotation principle governing the order of presidencies. The announcement was made by the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, during an informal CEI ministerial meeting held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES.

“This approach reconfirms Romania’s priority interest in regional cooperation, good neighborly relations, and the European accession process of candidate states, both in the Eastern neighborhood – the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine – and among partners in the Western Balkans. During its mandate, Romania aims to contribute primarily to accelerating the European integration process of candidate countries, to strengthening regional cooperation with a focus on connectivity – energy, transport, and digital –, to enhancing political dialogue among participants, and to developing economic cooperation. Romania will also act to increase the resilience of the region in the current geopolitical context, marked by the intensification of hybrid threats and attacks,” the press release states.

Romania will succeed Serbia in this role, exercising the mandate until December 31, 2026.

About the Central European Initiative (CEI)

The CEI is a regional cooperation format that brings together nine EU Member States – Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary – and seven non-EU states – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine. The structure is supported by a secretariat based in Trieste, Italy, and is led by a Secretary General.

The CEI’s strategic objectives include creating a space for convergence of fundamental European values and supporting the transfer of expertise, as well as strengthening the capacities of less developed member states.

Romania has held the CEI chairmanship only once before, in 2009, when the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary. Assuming the chairmanship in 2026 reaffirms Romania’s commitment to regional cooperation and the European integration of partner countries.