(ANSA) - ROME - ''Italy's support to accelerate the EU accession negotiations for the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Macedonia should be confirmed'', wrote the senator of the Democratic Party Gianni Pittella in a letter addressed to premier Conte, asking him to confirm this stance at the next European Council.

''In the light of the long-lasting friendship ties - he continued - between Italian, Albanian and Macedonian peoples, commercial relations between our countries, and the efforts made by the Albanian and Macedonian governments to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, we believe that a favourable position on the acceleration of negotiations corresponds to the interest of Italy, Macedonia, Albania, and of Europe as a whole''.

The letter was also signed by senators Giuseppe Cucca, Laura Garavini, Francesco Giacobbe, Nadia Ginetti, Salvatore Margiotta, Antonio Misiani, Tommaso Nannicini, Edoardo Patriarca, Roberto Rampi, Tatjana Rojc, Valeria Valente and Luigi Zanda.(ANSA).