Dr Orlic pointed out that the contribution of the Republic of Italy to the functioning of CEI invaluable, adding that Serbia attaches great importance to this initiative and the cooperation within it. He said that Italy and Serbia are among the founders of the CEI, emphasising the importance of working together to preserve the values and principles the initiative is based on - respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of UN member states and the peaceful settlement of all disputes. He stressed that Serbia applies these principles consistently and without exception and expects them to be respected in its own case.

He went on to say that dialogue and peace are threatened every day in the most drastic way in Kosovo-Metohija by Albin Kurti, who carries out terror and unacceptable repression against the Serbian population, as evidenced by the fact that more than 150 ethnically motivated attacks against Serbs have been recorded since the beginning of the year. "We expect everyone's understanding and support for our call to definitely stop the terrible violence, to preserve peace for everyone and to return to dialogue as the only correct way to reach a solution. This policy of preserving peace, ensuring stability and working together for further progress is the state policy led in our country by the President of the Republic, Aleksandar Vucic, with the indisputable mandate he received from the people, with whose will it is also pursued by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Government it elected," said Speaker Orlic.

Salvatore Caiata expressed his understanding for the Serbian side’s concern for the safety of its people, as well as for the delicate situation it is facing. "Serbia should remain on the side of peace and Italy will never deny it help in this," Caiata said.

Speaking about the bilateral relations between the two countries, Dr Orlic pointed to the fact that Italy is among the three most important foreign trade partners, among the three most important export markets and that Italian companies are among the largest investors in our country. "We would like to continue with this kind of cooperation and together achieve even greater and more significant successes in the future," said the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

Dr Orlic also took the opportunity to thank Italy for supporting our country's European path, to which Salvatore Caiata said that the strong support for our country, as well as the entire Western Balkans, will continue in terms of faster integration into the EU. Caiata welcomed all the reforms Serbia successfully implemented in previous years, expressing satisfaction with the excellent economic relations between the two countries and the increasing interest of Italian investors in investing in Serbia. He also congratulated Belgrade on being chosen as the host of EXPO 2027, stressing that this manifestation will be an extraordinary opportunity for the promotion of both our capital and the whole of Serbia.