Belgrade, 15 December 2020

Minister of Defence of the Italian Republic Lorenzo Guerini paid a visit to Serbia, meeting with the country's high officials.

In the meeting between the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and Minister Guerini the collocutors noted that the two countries have stable, friendly bilateral relations and intensive cooperation in all crucial areas in line with the strategic partnership established between them. They expressed the expectation that the circumstances will soon allow a new joint session of the two Governments to be held.

President Vucic thanked the Italian soldiers who, within KFOR, have an essential role in maintaining peace and stability, as well as in protecting Serbs and other non-Albanian communities in Kosovo and Metohija. The President emphasized that their behaviour and actions, especially in preserving the Visoki Decani monastery, gained the trust of the Serbian population. He also welcomed the professionalism of the Italian generals, who have been in command of the international security forces since 2013.

President Vucic expressed concern over the existing tensions in the region and said that the most important thing was to preserve peace and stability. Minister Guerini emphasized that Italy considered Serbia an essential country in the Western Balkans and welcomed the leadership of President Vucic and his role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. In this regard, he stressed the importance of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and reaffirmed Italy's commitment to continue to contribute to security by acting impartially within KFOR.

President Vucic assessed that the cooperation in the field of defence remains to be substantial and that Serbia and Italy are carrying out a large number of joint activities, highlighting the participation of Serbian soldiers in the UN Mission in Lebanon within the Italian contingent.

Minister Guerini said that Italy appreciates the participation of the Serbian army personnel in UN- and EU-mandated peacekeeping missions around the world. He also expressed Italy's support for Serbia's European integration process, hoping that it would intensify.

President Vucic expressed gratitude for Italy's support to Serbia's European path, as well as satisfaction with the economic cooperation between the two countries, with the expectation that it could be increased in the coming years.

Minister Guerini conveyed the gratitude of the Government of Italy and Prime Minister Conte for the medical assistance that Serbia sent in the first phase of the fight against COVID-19. President Vucic sent greetings to President Mattarella and Prime Minister Conte and said that we very much appreciate the fact that Minister Guerini came to visit during the pandemic when such visits are rather rare.

In a meeting with Minister Guerini, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic assessed that the relations between Serbia and Italy are at the best possible level, emphasizing that economic and investment cooperation is of priority importance, because Italy has been one of the most important economic partners of Serbia for several years.

Guerini said that Serbia is key to maintaining peace and stability in the Western Balkans, emphasizing that Italy greatly appreciates Serbia's efforts to strengthen regional cooperation.

The Minister pointed out that Italy also appreciates the constructive approach of our country within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and added that Italy provides full support to Serbia on its European path.

The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude for the engagement of doctors and medical staff, which Italy sent to Serbia during the pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia Nebojsa Stefanovic and Italian Minister of Defence Lorenzo Guerini assessed that the cooperation between the two countries had already reached a strategic partnership level.

Cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence is at an extremely high level, and today we talked about the possibilities of its further enhancement, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Stefanovic also thanked Minister Guerini for years of Italian Armed Forces’ participation in KFOR mission, and especially for their protection of the Serbian population in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija.

Speaking about bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Italy in the field of defence, the Deputy Prime Minister recalled that 57 different activities were realized over the last four years.