Curbing fake news, protecting press freedom, and guaranteeing citizens’ right to be informed—all while collaborating across a broad international area to consolidate media integration.
This goal was strongly reaffirmed today in Trieste by the 12 news agencies belonging to the Association of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-se)—including ANSA—during their 34th General Assembly and the “The Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference, organized by ANSA under the patronage of the Central European Initiative.
In Trieste—”the gateway to Europe for the Balkans,” as described by Ferit Hoxha, Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs—experts from the fields of media, politics, economics, healthcare, and science engaged in in-depth discussions regarding EU enlargement to include the Balkans.
In this regard, Albania “has not a second to lose”: “Our plan is to close all EU accession chapters by next year.” It is a “very ambitious” project and the “process is highly bureaucratic,” but “we are doing our homework.” “We have a plan, and our goal is the EU,” Hoxha said.
Alberto Barachini, Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for Information and Publishing, also spoke—via video link—about media, public funding, and Europe: “A European fund to support the media sector is needed.” “In Europe, we must work to ensure a level playing field for everyone,” he said.
“On the communications front, integration between the EU and the Balkans is at a turning point,” noted Luisa Chiodi, Director of the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa.
“The last three or four years have provided an excellent example of how to respond to disinformation through greater cooperation among news agencies and the daily exchange of truthful news, countering the fake news circulating on social networks,” stated Kiril Valchev, Secretary General of ABNA.
“Our news agency and the agencies represented here serve as a vital safeguard for information, press freedom, and democracy,” observed ANSA CEO Stefano De Alessandri.
“Geography and history place Trieste in a unique position as a bridge to the Balkan region,” he added, thanking the city and Mayor Roberto Dipiazza.
It is a border city overlooking the Adriatic Sea, a location that enables it to play a role in integration.
“Amidst an international crisis, integrating the Balkans into economic development projects—including those involving the Port of Trieste—is crucial,” said Marco Consalvo, President of the Trieste port authority.
“For the Friuli Venezia Giulia region,” pointed out Alessia Rosolen, the region’s Councillor for Labour, “the Balkans are no longer merely a traditional sphere of influence; they must become a partner with whom we stand united to face the global challenges ahead.”
