The event brought together leaders of 13 cities of central and southeast Europe, including Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic, senior officials of the European Commission and the European Parliament, representatives of international organizations, the diplomatic corps and businessmen.
Central and southeastern European countries need to create a suitable environment for the realisation of new great projects. We are looking forward to hearing concrete examples how cities have developed or are developing big infrastructure projects, Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali said at the opening of the event.
Mali called for the opening of a new chapter for regional cooperation and the exchange of experience so that capital cities could create conditions for a better life for their citizens.
Underscoring that EU membership was Serbia's strategic objective, Mali said this goal also meant a new quality in cooperation with neighbouring countries. Mali stressed meetings like this would become a tradition, adding that Zagreb Mayor Bandic had already suggested that Croatia's capital host the next summit.
Those present were also greeted by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic who said that Belgrade's cosmopolitan spirit was a great invitation to all guests from Europe to feel good in Serbia and Belgrade.