Serbia’s Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said Wednesday in Rome that Italy, along with Hungary, is one of the strongest advocates for Serbia’s European integration.

Brnabic emphasized that Italy is actively and directly pushing European Union (EU) member states to support Serbia in opening Cluster 3 of the EU accession process, adding that Italy is a great friend to Serbia.

“Italy believes Serbia should join the European Union before 2030. I don’t think that is realistic because there are member states that are still skeptical,” the Serbian state TV (RTS) quoted her as saying.

Brnabic highlighted that Italy consistently communicates its position clearly and unequivocally at all EU forums.

The parliament speaker said she had invited the Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana, to visit Serbia and sign a comprehensive agreement on parliamentary cooperation between Rome and Belgrade.