Berlusconi to attend summit without his ministers

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will attend the Serbia-Italy Summit in Belgrade on July 15, but without his associates, Tanjug has learned. The arrival of other ministries in the delegation is postponed due to a complex financial situation and adoption of the budget law in Italy, the news agency reported. Berlusconi to attend summit without his ministers Berlusconi will meet Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic in Belgrade to discuss Serbia's EU integration and promotion of the bilateral economic cooperation. Despite the complex situation in Italy, Berlusconi has confirmed his arrival in Belgrade in the light of strong friendship, commitment to promoting relations between the two countries, and support to Serbia's EU integration, Tanjug was told. Italy needs to adopt should the budget law by Friday and all ministers are engaged in the issue so as to prevent market tremors. Ministers, like Economic Development Minister Paolo Romani, who was supposed to arrive with a business council, will come to Serbia and sign four cooperation agreements, the Italian government explained. According to Tanjug's sources, Berlusconi will meet with Tadic and Cvetkovic to discuss important bilateral and European topics. Serbia's EU integration will be one of the main topics. "Italy wishes to reaffirm its support for Serbia's EU integration. That means Italy will do everything to ensure Serbia gets the EU candidate status and the start date for the accession talks by the end of the year," Tanjug's source stated. Regional cooperation, directed at bringing the region closer to the EU, will also be an important item for discussion. Italy's prime minister will confirm a partnership relation between the two countries when it comes to economy and explore the potential for further development of those ties, including new investments. "Right now we do not know if the visit will result in a concrete announcement of new investments, since the signing of the agreement and the arrival of the Business Council has been postponed, but we do know new investments are in the works," the government said. Italy is interested in the energy sector and infrastructure projects, they added. "Italy wants to take part in the modernization of Corridor 10, as well as the construction of an axis from the Adriatic Sea, through Serbia, to Romania, the so-called new corridor Bari-Bar-Belgrade," Tanjug was told. According to the Italian government, Italy is the biggest foreign investor in Serbia with investments worth around EUR 1bn. Over 200 Italian companies in Serbia employ 18,000 people and have a turnover of EUR 2.5bn. In 2010, Italy was the biggest importer from Serbia, and the third biggest exporter to Serbia, after Russia and Germany. In the same year, trade totaled about EUR 1.75mn, the Italian government said. This is the second Serbia-Italy Summit. The first summit, held November 13, 2009 in Rome, opened the door to a strategic partnership between the two countries. Boris Tadic and Silvio Berlusconi (FoNet, file)

Berlusconi to attend summit without his ministers

Berlusconi will meet Serbian President Boris Tadić and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković in Belgrade to discuss Serbia's EU integration and promotion of the bilateral economic cooperation.

Despite the complex situation in Italy, Berlusconi has confirmed his arrival in Belgrade in the light of strong friendship, commitment to promoting relations between the two countries, and support to Serbia's EU integration, Tanjug was told.

Italy needs to adopt should the budget law by Friday and all ministers are engaged in the issue so as to prevent market tremors.

Ministers, like Economic Development Minister Paolo Romani, who was supposed to arrive with a business council, will come to Serbia and sign four cooperation agreements, the Italian government explained.

According to Tanjug's sources, Berlusconi will meet with Tadić and Cvetković to discuss important bilateral and European topics.

Serbia's EU integration will be one of the main topics.

"Italy wishes to reaffirm its support for Serbia's EU integration. That means Italy will do everything to ensure Serbia gets the EU candidate status and the start date for the accession talks by the end of the year," Tanjug's source stated.

Regional cooperation, directed at bringing the region closer to the EU, will also be an important item for discussion.

Italy's prime minister will confirm a partnership relation between the two countries when it comes to economy and explore the potential for further development of those ties, including new investments.

"Right now we do not know if the visit will result in a concrete announcement of new investments, since the signing of the agreement and the arrival of the Business Council has been postponed, but we do know new investments are in the works," the government said.

Italy is interested in the energy sector and infrastructure projects, they added.

"Italy wants to take part in the modernization of Corridor 10, as well as the construction of an axis from the Adriatic Sea, through Serbia, to Romania, the so-called new corridor Bari-Bar-Belgrade," Tanjug was told.

According to the Italian government, Italy is the biggest foreign investor in Serbia with investments worth around EUR 1bn.

Over 200 Italian companies in Serbia employ 18,000 people and have a turnover of EUR 2.5bn.

In 2010, Italy was the biggest importer from Serbia, and the third biggest exporter to Serbia, after Russia and Germany.

In the same year, trade totaled about EUR 1.75mn, the Italian government said.

This is the second Serbia-Italy Summit.

The first summit, held November 13, 2009 in Rome, opened the door to a strategic partnership between the two countries.