Tajani: Stable Serbia means stable region, dialogue is significant

BELGRADE - Italian Deputy PM and FM Antonio Tajani said in Belgrade on Friday that, for Italy, it was important that Serbia was stable so that the Balkans could be stable, and noted that dialogue was very significant and that it was important to hear out young people but that they, too, needed to hear out others.

At a press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Tajani said they had discussed the situation in Serbia and noted that Italy was watching developments closely but did not want to interfere in the internal affairs of another country.

"It is not up to Italy to interfere in the internal policy of a friendly country, but I agree with what President Vucic said - that dialogue must take place and that there should be no misuse of violence, because dialogue is something that rules out violence," Tajani said at the Palace of Serbia.

He extended condolences over the Novi Sad railway station tragedy.

Tajani noted that Serbia-Italy relations were very good, especially in the economy, and that the two countries also maintained good political cooperation, and added that Italy wanted Serbia to join the EU as soon as possible.

He announced a meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and EU foreign policy and security chief Kaja Kallas would be held in Rome on February 10 and that Balkan FMs would be attending it.

"It will be an opportunity to say once again how actively we are involved in making this region a part of Europe," Tajani said.

He said the meeting with Vucic had also addressed the international situation and wars that were going on, which he noted were a reason for concern for all and also led to economic problems.

"Having two wars that are going on practically on our borders is something that is detrimental to us and to our exports. We all want to work for peace," he said.

He said rebuilding Ukraine had also been discussed and that he had invited Serbian companies to a July conference in Rome that would deal with the issue.

Tajani said they had also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the new US administration and noted that good trans-Atlantic relations were important for Italy.

He also said Serbia could join the EU even before 2030 and that Italy would be working on that.