Palalic expressed his satisfaction with the visit of the Italian parliamentarians, pointing out that this is an exceptional opportunity to consider possibilities for intensifying cooperation between the two countries and opined that the bilateral relations are friendly and open.

In view of tomorrow’s “Serbia – Italy, Business and Science Forum”, to be held in the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade and attended by some 150 Italian companies, Palalic expressed hope that the forum will mark the beginning of a new phase in the economic relations between the two countries. He added that a new influx of Italian investments is expected after the forum, especially in the field of innovative technologies, infrastructure, biotechnology, energy and green transition.

The forum will be opened by the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and members of the Serbian Government will also be in attendance. He added that Italy is Serbia's second biggest trading partner in Europe.

Palalic then briefed the Italian parliamentarians on the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, stressing that Serbia respects the principles of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

He added that the dialogue between official Belgrade and the Pristina administration, conducted under the auspices of the EU, is the only correct solution and that there is a complete consensus in Serbia as regards the integrity of the Serbian territory.

The members of the Lower House of the Italian Parliament Dimitri Coin, Emanuele Loperfido and Naike Gruppioni agreed with the Head of the PFG with Italy that there is room to improve economic cooperation, especially after the upcoming Business and Science Forum. They said that Serbia is the third country in Italy in terms of investments.

The parliamentarians were interested in Serbia’s European integration, the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, as well as Serbia's position on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

They said that Italy supports the intention of the Western Balkans to be on the chessboard of the European Union, adding that they see Serbia as a strategic partner, both because of its position and its proximity.

MPs Sanda Raskovic Ivic, Jadranka Jovanovic, Snezana Paunovic, Marina Ragus, Miodrag Gavrilovic and Zika Bujuklic took part in the conversation that followed. They jointly assessed that there is room to improve cooperation in the fields of trade, culture, science, IT and tourism.

Speaking about Kosovo-Metohija, they pointed out that dialogue is the only correct way to preserve peace and stability for all who live there, adding that it is vital to finally set up the Community of Serb Municipalities, which would ensure the safety of our people in Kosovo-Metohija. It was concluded that Belgrade continues to pursue the state policy of peace, stability, economic and social development. The members of the PFG with Italy informed the guests that EU accession is Serbia's chief foreign policy goal and that the country expected Italy's support on that path.

The meeting was also attended by Italian Ambassador to Serbia Luca Gori who took the opportunity to inform the gathering that around 150 Italian and 250 Serbian companies will be present at tomorrow's forum, that more than 400 meetings will be held and 12 agreements will be signed covering different areas.