Vucic: Italy a sincere friend, has never put Serbia under grave pressure

BELGRADE- Italy is a sincere friend to Serbia and it has never been among the countries putting Serbia under grave pressure, but one that opened the door to cooperation, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday.

Vucic was speaking at the opening of a Serbia-Italy business and scientific forum, also attended by Italian FM Antonio Tajani.

"To us, Italy is a sincere friend and we have always been able to count on Italy on our European path as well as in cooperation on all important issues, which have not always been easy. Italy has never been among the countries putting Serbia under grave pressure - it was there to help and open the door to some kind of agreement and continued cooperation, rather than to conflicts and problems," Vucic noted.

He said Italian entrepreneurs were more than welcome in Serbia.

Vucic noted that bilateral trade with Italy had reached 4.6 bln euros in 2022.

"I ask all Italian companies to come to Serbia," Vucic said, adding that Serbia was providing a safe environment to invest in.

The forum at the Palace of Serbia was organised as part of an official visit to Serbia by an Italian state and business delegation.

The forum is being attended by over 250 Serbian and around 150 Italian companies from various sectors.