Serbia's place is "in Europe", says Italian ambassador

BELGRADE "Serbia's place is in Europe and Italy is convinced that Serbia can and should take its place as soon as possible," the new Italian ambassador has said. Giuseppe Manzo made the statement while presenting his credentials to Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic in Belgrade on Tuesday. Serbia's place is "in Europe", says Italian ambassador "Italy has been stating with conviction for quite a long that Serbia's place is in Europe. The Italian government is convinced of that, and is working toward that goal. The top institutions of my country, political forces in the parliament and all parts of civil society share that conviction," Manzo said. In less than a week, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino will come to Belgrade and voice Italy's continuing encouragement to Serbia's EU integration process and Rome's readiness to continue offering the support after the start of Serbia's membership negotiations, he said. That visit will be an opportunity to define in greater detail the prospects and domains in which the strategic partnership between the two countries, which was confirmed at the first inter-state summit in 2009, could improve even further, Tanjug reported. The Serbian president underscored that the new Italian ambassador is taking office at the time when Serbia, after having taken significant steps and invested efforts on both domestic and international levels, expects a decision on a start date for EU entry talks, the process in which it has always enjoyed Italy's support. Nikolic said that the relations between the two countries are based on solid foundations of mutual respect, and cooperation, noting that the diplomatic relations have a 134-year-old tradition. For Serbia, Italy is not only a political and economic partner, but also a sincere friend. Italy is one of Serbia's biggest trading partners. I am sure that your team will contribute to furthering the mutual efforts aimed at meeting international obligations and implementing the achieved deals and signed agreements, the Serbian president said. Nikolic extended sincere greetings to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, noting that he was a creator of the strategic partnership between the two countries, adding that he is sure that it will be strengthened and enriched even further. "We believe that we will assess the effects of Italy's support as soon as at the next summit of the two governments in the fall of this year," Nikolic said. (Tanjug) Tanjug

Serbia's place is "in Europe", says Italian ambassador

"Italy has been stating with conviction for quite a long that Serbia's place is in Europe. The Italian government is convinced of that, and is working toward that goal. The top institutions of my country, political forces in the parliament and all parts of civil society share that conviction," Manzo said.

In less than a week, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino will come to Belgrade and voice Italy's continuing encouragement to Serbia's EU integration process and Rome's readiness to continue offering the support after the start of Serbia's membership negotiations, he said.

That visit will be an opportunity to define in greater detail the prospects and domains in which the strategic partnership between the two countries, which was confirmed at the first inter-state summit in 2009, could improve even further, Tanjug reported.

The Serbian president underscored that the new Italian ambassador is taking office at the time when Serbia, after having taken significant steps and invested efforts on both domestic and international levels, expects a decision on a start date for EU entry talks, the process in which it has always enjoyed Italy's support.

Nikolić said that the relations between the two countries are based on solid foundations of mutual respect, and cooperation, noting that the diplomatic relations have a 134-year-old tradition.

For Serbia, Italy is not only a political and economic partner, but also a sincere friend. Italy is one of Serbia's biggest trading partners. I am sure that your team will contribute to furthering the mutual efforts aimed at meeting international obligations and implementing the achieved deals and signed agreements, the Serbian president said.

Nikolić extended sincere greetings to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, noting that he was a creator of the strategic partnership between the two countries, adding that he is sure that it will be strengthened and enriched even further.

"We believe that we will assess the effects of Italy's support as soon as at the next summit of the two governments in the fall of this year," Nikolić said.