In a conversation with the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, the Head of the PFG, Jovan Palalic, stressed that relations between Serbia and Lombardy are very developed, primarily thanks to the excellent relations between the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, emphasising that this level of political trust is a strong incentive for improving cooperation at all levels. Both parties agreed that there is significant room to further strengthen economic cooperation and trade, as well as for deepen the ties in the areas of economy, innovation, digitalisation, science, education and culture.

Palalic thanked the hosts for the warm welcome and stressed that Serbia attaches great importance to the development of overall relations with Italy, as one of its most important political and economic partners, emphasising the special role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening mutual trust and cooperation.

The delegation went on to visit the Piedmont Region, where it had a series of meetings with representatives of regional institutions and local self-governments. They discussed possibilities for improving cooperation between Serbia and Piedmont in the areas of economy, culture, education, tourism and local development, as well as further strengthening institutional relations between the two sides.

The officials opined that there is a mutual interest in intensifying cooperation and implementing joint projects, adding that the traditionally good relations between Serbia and Italy represent a solid foundation for furthering the connections between the regions, institutions and business entities.

Delegation member Biljana Pantic Pilja emphasised the importance of furthering Serbia's cooperation with the Lombardy and Piedmont regions in the areas of new technologies, innovation and scientific research. She particularly pointed to the potential for establishing cooperation between science and technology parks, innovation centres and universities, with a focus on connecting technical faculties and developing joint research and development projects.

Pantic Pilja also emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and the Piedmont Region, especially in the field of viticulture and winemaking, taking into account the recognizable tradition and potential of both regions. She opined that there is room for an exchange of experiences, joint ventures and connecting producers and institutions involved in the development of the wine sector.

The officials also welcomed the initiative to renew the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and the Lombardy Region, expressing the expectation that this document will be ceremonially renewed during the EXPO 2027 specialised exhibition in Belgrade, which will represent an additional incentive for the further development of institutional and economic relations.

At the meetings in Lombardy and Piedmont, Olivera Denic stressed that the south and southeast of Serbia abound in significant potential to develop cooperation with these regions, with a special focus on the city of Nis as a stronghold of the economic, development and scientific research potential of this part of Serbia. She also put forward an initiative for twinning between the city of Nis and the city of Novara in Piedmont, as well as between Sokobanja and the city of Livigno in Lombardy, which was met with a positive response from the Italian side.

Delegation member MA Jadranka Jovanovic shared proposals for deepening cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the regions of Lombardy and Piedmont, with an emphasis on the field of culture, including the possibility of concluding cooperation agreements and developing joint projects between related cultural institutions, as well as joint participation in the European Union's "Creative Europe" programme. She particularly emphasised the significance of using the programme as an important instrument for financing cultural projects and strengthening mutual cooperation and understanding.

The Head of the PFG, Jovan Palalic, shared his most sincere gratitude to the representatives of the Piedmont Region for the support they provide to the preservation of cultural heritage and local communities in Velika Hoca in Kosovo-Metohija, emphasising how highly Serbia values initiatives that contribute to the preservation of the identity of the Serbian people and the strengthening of mutual understanding and friendly relations.

The delegation confirmed its commitment to continuing active parliamentary cooperation with Italian partners, with the aim of further strengthening political, economic and cultural relations between the Republic of Serbia and Italy.