Italian foreign minister in Belgrade

Italian foreign minister in Belgrade

A statement from Koštunica's office said the two leaders agreed on Monday that the solution for Kosovo should be reached through negotiations, with respect for the internationally recognized borders and shouldn't be imposed by force.

The debt write off deal is a part of a larger arrangement reached with the Paris Club of creditors in December 2001 to write off a total of three billion dollar debt in order to help economic reforms after democratic forces came to power in October 2000.

Italy is Serbia's third main trading partner, with a total trade turnover expected to top 1.8 billion dollars. D'Alema's visit and the debt write off "represents a confirmation of good relations of the two countries", Koštunica said in a statement.

D'Alema also supported the resumption of pre-entry talks with the European Union broken off last May.

Serbian foreign minister Vuk Drašković and his Italian counterpart also discussed Serbia’s European perspective after the Partnership for Peace acceptance, the Kosovo status solution and increasing bilateral cooperation.

D’Alema also met with Serbian President Boris Tadić, who expressed his gratitude for Italy's backing in the process of Parentship for Peace admission, as well as that related to Serbia's EU ambitions.