(ANSA) - ROME, JUNE 11 - "There are young generations in the western Balkans who have a great desire to become European citizens and at a time like this, when someone is leaving the European Union, we would like to work on those who want to get there," said Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio after meeting his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic at the "Farnesina".

Di Maio reaffirmed Italy's support for the enlargement of the European Union to Serbia. "These young generations can make a contribution to the future of the EU and we are working on the enlargement process as regards Serbian friends but also Albanian and North Macedonia friends," he added. "We have recorded the beginning of the process regarding Albania and North Macedonia - the minister continued - and these were important steps, but there is an open negotiation regarding Serbia that we can't forget, as the Western Balkans are a crucial region not only to Italy but to the whole European Union and the Mediterranean area.""Italy - said Dacic - is a true friend of ours, that we thank for all the support and help it is giving us on the path towards integration. We would like Italy to become Serbia's ambassador of our country's European path." Di Maio then made it known that he "also spoke about the trade and the new opportunities that we can especially set up in terms of innovation." He then added that "we hope that a business forum can be organized as soon as possible for new businesses and for businesses that already operate in the two countries."(ANSA).