On Monday, 25th September 2023, the informal group of Olympic committees of Central and Southeastern Europe convened its first meeting of the year in Ljubljana. Representing the Montenegrin Olympic Committee were President Dušan Simonović and Secretary-General Igor Vušurović. The meeting focused on sports development in this region, with special attention to the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 and the European Youth Olympic Festival scheduled for 2025 in Skopje. Consideration was also given to Sarajevo’s candidacy to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2028. Furthermore, participants conducted a detailed analysis of the European Games recently concluded in Krakow 2023 and discussed potential organizers for future European Games. Emphasis was placed on the significance of mutual cooperation during the meeting, and the potential for organizing joint Olympic camps was explored. Such initiatives are perceived as opportunities to elevate elite sports and extend direct support to national sports federations and Olympic aspirants. The dialogue also revolved around prospects to strengthen cooperation, share experiences and knowledge, and concrete steps to roll out joint projects and initiatives. Mihai Covaliu, president of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee and a member of the EOC Executive Committee, was elected as the coordinator of the group. The interchange of ideas and experiences amongst the varying national Olympic committees fosters the enhancement of sports programs and initiatives at the regional level, aiming to advocate health, solidarity, and fair play in sports. Alongside Montenegro, the informal group comprises representatives from 18 other national Olympic committees within this geographical scope, including Greece, Poland, Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Hungary, Moldova, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Czech Republic, and Romania.
