Italian ambassador: Serbia belongs in Europe

BELGRADE Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Manzo says his country strongly supports Serbia's European integration "because it believes that Serbia belongs in Europe." The diplomat added that Italy believes Serbia's EU accession talks would be launched as envisaged, without additional conditions. Italian ambassador: Serbia belongs in Europe "We appreciate Belgrade's engagement and we encourage Serbia to show the same commitment it demonstrated over the past few months in the implementation of reforms and the Brussels agreement (with Pristina), especially at the point when the EU accession talks are nearing their end," Manzo said in an interview for Tanjug. This was Manzo's response the question as to whether the initiation of accession talks with the EU, expected in January at the latest, could be called into question because of the hardened stand of certain countries, such as Germany and Britain. Manzo noted that fair local elections in Kosovo and Metohija on November 3 and a high turnout constitute an important factor in the implementation of the Brussels agreement and serve the interests of Belgrade and Pristina and the entire Europe as well. Reflecting on the bilateral relations between Serbia and Italy, Manzo said that it is the task of ambassadors to improve them but this will not be an easy task in as the two countries already have excellent relations. This is further supported by the forthcoming joint government session in Ancona on October 15. The bilateral summit in Ancona, the third one between the two countries, is a clear proof that the cooperation between Serbia and Italy is strong in all domains, Manzo said. Manzo announced that a series of agreements will be signed. "The main topic of the meeting is examination of the current level of the bilateral cooperation so as to identify and focus on priorities in which Italy can offer its expertise during Serbia's EU accession talks," Manzo said. The talks will cover a number of other bilateral issues so that business cooperation could deepen within the strategic partnership in various sectors, such as the automobile industry, banking, insurance, energy and transport, Manzo stated. The agenda of the Ancona meeting also includes cooperation in the sectors of culture, education and research, as well as the judiciary, interior affairs, agriculture and potential future investments. (Tanjug) Tanjug

Italian ambassador: Serbia belongs in Europe

"We appreciate Belgrade's engagement and we encourage Serbia to show the same commitment it demonstrated over the past few months in the implementation of reforms and the Brussels agreement (with Priština), especially at the point when the EU accession talks are nearing their end," Manzo said in an interview for Tanjug.

This was Manzo's response the question as to whether the initiation of accession talks with the EU, expected in January at the latest, could be called into question because of the hardened stand of certain countries, such as Germany and Britain.

Manzo noted that fair local elections in Kosovo and Metohija on November 3 and a high turnout constitute an important factor in the implementation of the Brussels agreement and serve the interests of Belgrade and Pristina and the entire Europe as well.

Reflecting on the bilateral relations between Serbia and Italy, Manzo said that it is the task of ambassadors to improve them but this will not be an easy task in as the two countries already have excellent relations.

This is further supported by the forthcoming joint government session in Ancona on October 15.

The bilateral summit in Ancona, the third one between the two countries, is a clear proof that the cooperation between Serbia and Italy is strong in all domains, Manzo said.

Manzo announced that a series of agreements will be signed.

"The main topic of the meeting is examination of the current level of the bilateral cooperation so as to identify and focus on priorities in which Italy can offer its expertise during Serbia's EU accession talks," Manzo said.

The talks will cover a number of other bilateral issues so that business cooperation could deepen within the strategic partnership in various sectors, such as the automobile industry, banking, insurance, energy and transport, Manzo stated.

The agenda of the Ancona meeting also includes cooperation in the sectors of culture, education and research, as well as the judiciary, interior affairs, agriculture and potential future investments.