Italian Ambassador to Danas: The Balkans is a Region of Central Importance for Europe
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs selects three cities each year as capitals of Italian creativity in the world. This year, that title was awarded to Belgrade.
TL;DR
- Belgrade, Houston, and Bangkok are chosen as capitals of Italian creativity for 2026.
- The 'Play with IT' festival in Belgrade focuses on fashion, design, music, food, sport, and technology.
- Italy will have one of the largest pavilions at Expo 2027 in Belgrade, viewing it as a cultural and economic event.
- Bilateral relations between Italy and Serbia are strong and have developed significantly in recent years.
- Despite differing views on Kosovo, Italy maintains a constructive dialogue and plays a positive role in normalizing relations.
- The Ambassador believes the Balkans is a region of central importance to Europe for security, economic, and cultural reasons, advocating for faster EU enlargement.
- Italy is Serbia's third-largest trading partner, with significant cooperation in science, culture, and language promotion.