First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met today in Brussels with the President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Mr. Gianni Pittella.

The Head of Serbian diplomacy expressed hope that the countries of the European Union would recognize the political and economic reform processes being carried out by the Serbian Government, as well as efforts invested by Serbia in the dialogue with Pristina, and that they would, by opening new negotiating chapters, support Serbia's progress on its European path.

The President of the social democrat political group, the second largest according to the number of seats in the European Parliament where he represents Italy, conveyed to the Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister the support of the Italian Government and noted that both his country and the European Parliament followed with great interest the bold reforms being implemented by the Serbian Government.

Mr. Pittella stressed that Serbia's membership was of great political and economic importance for the EU. He underlined that he would, both in the European Parliament and in contacts with his colleagues from Germany and other countries, advocate accelerating the pace of opening negotiating chapters.

The Serbian Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude for the support Italy had been extending to our country, seeing that Italy was among the most important partners of Serbia, and noted that it was key to create a better business environment for new Italian and other investments.