First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic met today with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Paolo Gentiloni and agreed that Italy is Serbia’s first economic partner and a major political partner.
Dacic said that the country’s progress in EU integration would depend on whether there was any progress in the talks with Pristina.
Serbia will fulfil everything stated in the Brussels agreement and involved in the implementation plan, but it cannot be held responsible if someone sets new requirements, Dacic remarked.
He informed Gentiloni that the screenings for all the chapters of the accession talks with the EU have been completed, adding that Serbia was therefore ready to open the chapters.
Gentiloni stated that Italy is certain Serbia’s European integration process should go a step further and added that all conditions have been met for the European Commission to adopt a decision to open negotiating chapters in the months to come.
We cannot delay the process of European integration because Serbia has taken on all the obligations and is working on their fulfilment, Gentiloni said and expressed the belief that all conditions have been met for the EC to adopt the decision to open the chapters in the months to come.
Gentiloni stated that the two countries share excellent political and economic relations and announced that Italian President Sergio Matarella would visit Belgrade on 25 May.
He noted that the two countries should stage a joint government session soon.
Italy is Serbia’s first economic partner and a country that supports its EU path most, Gentiloni said.
He noted that Italy also appreciates the work done by Belgrade within the dialogue with Pristina.
Source; Serbian Government
