First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic received today the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy, Vincenzo Amendola.

Undersecretary of State Amendola emphasized that the opening of negotiating chapters 23 and 24 would send a concrete political message about the continuation of Serbia's European integration process. He underlined that Italy had initiated the preparations for chairing the Western Balkans Summit (Berlin Process), to take place in Rome in July 2017, proposing in this context the strengthening of bilateral dialogue and promotion of cooperation on specific infrastructure projects involving Italian small and medium-sized enterprises.

Minister Dacic said that Serbia appreciated highly the continued support of Italy to the country's European integration path, welcoming next year's Western Balkans Summit in Rome.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the high level of bilateral relations, as well as readiness for their further promotion in all areas of mutual interest.