Italian FM urges Serbia to "continue on its path"

Italian FM urges Serbia to "continue on its path"

Ahead of her trip, the Italian official said that she brings to Belgrade "a strong message of encouragement to continue on the path that Serbia has started in recent years."

"Serbia with Europe shares the same priorities: economic development and employment. I note with satisfaction that the Serbian government, despite the floods, moved decisively to reform and adapt to European standards, such as the adoption of reforms in labor market area, " Mogherini told the Belgrade-based daily Politika.

She pointed out that one of the priorities of the Italian presidency of the EU will be precisely the integration of the Western Balkans "in order to complete the original project in which the founders of a united Europe believed."

"For this reason, in the first weeks of the Italian presidency I went on a tour of the Western Balkans, which ends today, visiting the capitals which are the most advanced in the process," said she.

When it comes to relations between the two countries, Mogherini said that "this year we celebrate the 135th anniversary of diplomatic relations and with EUR 3.5 billion in trade, two billion euros in investments and 500 companies, Italy is most important trading partner and investor in Serbia."

"But we are aware that new forms of cooperation are also needed, both in economy and in research and innovation. For this reason a few weeks ago the president of the region of Friuli-Venezia-Julia, Debora Serracchiani, visited Belgrade, accompanied by a delegation of thirty businesspeople and signed agreements precisely in areas of strategic importance for Italy and Serbia, and in the areas of energy, infrastructure, transport, scientific research," said Mogherini.

"After the floods that hit your country so hard, Italy was immediately active also in Brussels and gave its contribution to help Serbia, but that, of course, is not enough because solidarity should now be manifested through economic cooperation and investment of Italian companies in Serbia," stressed the head of the Italian diplomacy.