Italian minister before Government of Deputies: Move dialogue with Serbia forward

Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Luigi Di Maio, ahead of Kosovo's deputies, said they do not support the idea of re-visiting the borders in the Balkans, saying they have seen with concern the revival of nationalist pressures.

“We have seen with concern the revival of nationalist pressures and ocult calls aimed at re-launching borders in the region and questioning the territorial integrity of some countries. We reject these provocations with absolute determination, but at the same time we have to be aware that only a concrete European perspective is able to abolish the resumption of nationalism as well as a certain political adventure that would like to bring the Balkans back 30 years later. The challenge the EU is called upon to respond to is restoring credibility”.

On the other hand, he encouraged Kosovo deputies to advance dialogue with Serbia and reach an agreement as soon as possible.

I wish this country would interpret this line of change and work with complete unity, to look forward you must identify the problems and all of Kosovo's pain. Kosovo's territorial integrity is never under discussion, Italy encourages the two states to move the discussion forward to open a new and clean notebook for a joint peace of”, it concluded.

Di Maio points out no visa liberalisation, saying the EU is light on Kosovo's case.

The EU sometimes is lightly in Kosovo's case, where citizens still do not enjoy visas even though they have met all the requirements. Italy will continue to fight so that the progress of all countries can translate into a progress with Europe, because we are supported by many countries. Crime and corruption are real wounds that cause distrust, this is a structural challenge throughout the region, where victims are new generations”, he said.