(ANSA) - BELGRADE - The ministries of health of Serbia and Italy have signed an agreement on celiac disease in Belgrade today, aiming to strengthen co-operation between healthcare institutions and specialists in the two countries, both at diagnostic and prevention level. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Giuseppe Ruocco, Director General for Food Hygiene and Food Safety and Nutrition at the Health Ministry, and Meho Mahmutovic, Meho Mahmutovic, State secretaryat Serbia's Ministry of Health, in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Serbia Giuseppe Manzo. Ruocco underlined the high level of specialization in Italy in the field of celiac disease, where 200,000 patients were diagnosed with this disease , compared to an estimated real number of at least 600,000. The incidence is growing, he said, even thanks to higher awareness and increase in the number of people who undergo tests. Mahmutovic thanked Italy for its constant support and assistance to Serbia in the field of health, in several specific areas under the framework agreement between the two ministries signed in 2011. Ambassador Manzo underlined that ''this agreement is something on which the Italian government and associations have worked together and well. It strengthens cooperation between Italy and Serbia in the research sector, increases the ability to diagnose and improve the quality of life for patients affected by celiac disease'', said Manzo. According to experts in Europe 1% of citizens are affected by celiac disease, which can appear at any age. All patients who are diagnosed with celiac disease, follow a particular diet, gluten-free, and are subject to lifelong medical check-ups.