First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic received today the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Giuseppe Manzo.

Ambassador Manzo presented to Minister Dacic a letter of congratulations from Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic Paolo Gentiloni, on the occasion of his re-appointment as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"As a major strategic partner of Serbia, Italy will continue to provide full support to the process of integration of your country into the European Union in most fields, in order to achieve concrete results that will enable Serbia to progress on its European path.

The incoming Western Balkans Summit, to be hosted by Italy next year, will present an excellent opportunity for encouraging the European integration of countries in the region, by strengthening their mutual cooperation and through their active participation in the process. Our main goal is to promote further our bilateral relations as well as the relations among the Western Balkans countries. To Italy, the future of Serbia lies with the European Union.

Looking forward to cooperating closely with you and your Government, as well as to a new opportunity to meet you, I wish you success in the new term of office", reads the congratulatory message by Minister Gentiloni.

At today's meeting, both sides noted a high level of bilateral, political and economic cooperation and they expressed readiness to promote it further in all areas of mutual interest.

Minister Dacic conveyed again his condolences at the huge toll of human life in the earthquake that had hit central Italy.

The Head of Serbian diplomacy underlined that a continued support Italy offered to the European integration process was highly important to Serbia, welcoming the holding of the Western Balkans Summit (Berlin Process) next year in Rome.

In the talks, they also exchanged views on the current situation and developments in the region. Minister Dacic underlined that maintenance of peace and stability in the region was a priority to the Republic of Serbia, expressing his concern over the fact that this stability was jeopardized by actions of some countries. The Minister underlined that the Republic of Serbia would remain committed to the promotion of peace and stability in the region.