The first meeting of the Committee of National Coordinators (CNC) of the countries members of Central-European Initiative (CEI) took place in Kolašin, as part of the current Montenegrin presidency of CEI.

At the meeting, which was chaired by the CEI National Coordinator for Montenegro and deputy minister of foreign affairs, ambassador Milorad Šćepanović, Montenegro presented the priorities and timetable of activities for our country’s presidency over the larges and the oldest regional initiative in Europe. Šćepanović expressed the intention of the Montenegrin Government to approach the task of presidency in a pragmatic and differentiated way and, as a young member of the initiative, to offer a fresh and unique contribution to the fulfilment of CEI’s goals, especially with regard to its topmost priorities: improvement of efficiency and the project base of the Initiative and strengthening cooperation with EU. He emphasized that in its comprehensive approach Montenegrin presidency will pay much attention to further development and enrichment of good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation, and to promotion of dialogue between CEI members and European Union with the aim of fulfilling their strategic interests and goals with regard to European integrations. He said that during its presidency Montenegro will focus on strengthening the role of CEI as a constructive factor in the process of stability and prosperity of the region. The participants exchanged their views on the upcoming tasks of the international group of experts to redefine the CEI in order to step up its activities and visibility in the region and internationally. With regard to this, they also supported the proposed approach and methods presented by the Montenegrin presidency.

Secretary General of CEI Gerhard Pfanzelter and national coordinators of countries members of the initiative welcomed the proposals of the Montenegrin presidency, finding them constructive, pragmatic and in the interest of efficiency and visibility of CEI. They unanimously supported Montenegrin intention to deepen comprehensive dialogue on the regional and international level, especially through intensified concrete, project-based cooperation and attraction of funding from EU and other potential donors.

CNC meeting was preceded by consultations between the Montenegrin presidency and Secretary General Pfanzelter and his team from the CEI Secretariat on the practical aspects of implementation of 2010 programme. The consultations continued on the second day, with a focus on the future activities of the international expert group. Deputy Minister discussed the situation in the region and the process of European integrations with all participants, who expressed their satisfaction and positive impressions with the beginning of Montenegrin presidency, and their expectations that it will continue equally successfully.

With the aim of promoting the Municipality of Kolašin and the capacities for winter tourism in this part of Montenegro, which also part of Montenegro's platform in its presidency over different regional initiatives and promotion of regional cooperation, the Mayor of Kolašin Mileta Bulatović and his associates organised a visit to the ski-centre “Bjelasica” and a reception in the national restaurant “Vodenica”.