22.06.2021.

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić met today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy, Luigi Di Maio, with whom he asserted that the relations between the two countries are featured by a high degree of mutual understanding.

President Vučić and Minister Di Maio expressed hope that the fourth joint session of the governments could be held by the end of the year as it would give a strong impetus to comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, following the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

President Vučić also expressed satisfaction that the Government of Prime Minister Dragi placed our region high on the list of foreign policy priorities because peace, stability and cooperation are of the utmost importance for the future of the Western Balkans. That is why, on this occasion, he informed the head of Italian diplomacy about the course of the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština. President Vučić pointed out that Serbia always strives towards dialogue as a way of resolving open issues and fighting for compromise while protecting its state and national interests.

President Vučić thanked for Italy's open support for Serbia's European integration, and in that regard, Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio confirmed that Italy is an advocate of Serbia's entry into the European Union and is ready to help us in the negotiation process, especially in implementing the necessary reforms.

Minister Di Maio congratulated the Serbian authorities on the excellent results in vaccinating the population and reiterated Italy's gratitude for the medical assistance provided by Serbia in the most difficult moments, emphasising that Serbia is still showing solidarity, by giving vaccines to the countries in need.

The two interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the bilateral economic cooperation because Italy has been among the most important economic partners of Serbia for years, while trade exchange is on the rise again.

www.predsednik.rs