In the meeting with the Italian Ambassador, National Assembly Speaker Dr Nebojsa Stefanovic spoke of the excellent cooperation with former Ambassador Varricchio, hoping that the two countries’ bilateral relations would continue on their upward trend. Stefanovic thanked Italy for its strong support of Serbia’s European integration. As regards the economy, the National Assembly Speaker also thanked Italy for its support in the form of investments, hoping that they might multiply in the future.

Stefanovic noted that parliamentary contacts have been somewhat impeded due to the elections in Serbia and Italy, but that there is considerable room to expand the framework of parliamentary cooperation, especially in the segment of garnering experience from the Italian parliamentary practice, since the Parliament is looking to strengthen its role. Regarding the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Italy, Stefanovic informed the guest that it comprises 42 MPs and is headed by Sanda Raskovic Ivic, former Serbian Ambassador to Rome. The National Assembly Speaker expects the parliamentary friendship groups to dedicate themselves to strengthening the ties between the two nations. Concerning cultural cooperation, Speaker Stefanovic extended an open invitation to the Italian Ambassador to organise an exhibition or a similar event at the National Assembly so as to present the Italian cultural heritage to the Serbian citizens.

Italian Ambassador Guiseppe Manzo was pleased by the similarity of the topics opened by the National Assembly Speaker, stressing that cultural cooperation is one of the first activities the results of which he saw upon arriving in Belgrade thanks to the cooperation and funds the Italian Government provided for the restoration of the paintings of Petar Lubarda. Highlighting the good examples of cultural cooperation the Italian Ambassador offered the opportunity to organise cultural events in Italy. Ambassador Manzo added that he considers Serbia a country with an immense cultural tradition which could be used in many spheres including, first and foremost, cultural tourism. The Italian Ambassador informed Speaker Stefanovic that, in the first quarter of the year, Italy has been Serbia’s first trade and investment partner, adding that 500 Italian companies, small and medium-sized enterprises cooperate with Serbia. He also urged to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and proposed organizing a meeting between the two countries’ parliament speakers.

The Italian Ambassador asked about the current political issues in Serbia, including the voter turnout of Kosovo Serbs and the possible reconstruction of the Government. Speaker Stefanovic informed the Ambassador of the talks with the representatives of Serbs from the north of Kosovo and the prospects for the reconstruction of the Government opining that the agreement on voter turnout would be achieved, and that the reconstruction of the Government would lead to more successful efforts toward European integration and improving the economic situation.

Ambassador Manzo gave full support to the current processes because, he explained, Italy had always stood by Serbia and would endorse all initiatives leading to its speedier integration into the European Union.

The meeting between the National Assembly Speaker and US Ambassador Michael Kirby mostly focused on USAID projects on sustainable local development and the organisation’s support programmes for strengthening the National Assembly’s capacity and credibility such as the MPs opening constituency offices in the communities they come from.

As examples of cooperation in regional development programmes, Ambassador Kirby listed the projects in Zrenjanin and Uzice, with a special focus on the infrastructural and wastewater problems in Novi Pazar.

In an open talk, the officials discussed current political topics such as the possible reconstruction of the Government and potentials for closer educational cooperation especially in programmes conducive to better cooperation between educational institutions and the economy.