The Serbian and Italian governments signed a number of cooperation agreements and memorandums on Tuesday at the Forum for Business and Scientific Cooperation in Belgrade which was attended by 151 Italian and 246 Serbian companies as well as state officials.

President Aleksandar Vucic told the opening of the Forum that Serbia has created a good climate for business people, adding that Italian businesses are welcome. “We offer the security of the system. We haven’t changed taxes in 10 years and our currency is stable… Two of the three biggest banks in Serbia are Italian,” he said.

According to Vucic, trade between the two countries stood at 4.6 billion Euro last year and will increase significantly next year when the Italian Stelantis starts exporting electric vehicles made in Kragujevac.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the Forum that the Balkans are strategically important and added that Italy wants to see Serbia become a member of the European Union. He said that Italy and Serbia need to cooperate in “fundamental sectors” including on climate change. Tajani said the Forum is part of a wider strategy.

Speaking at a news conference with Vucic, Tajani said that Serbia plays a crucial role in maintaining stability in the Western Balkans which is important in dealing with illegal migrations.

The Forum was organized by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce with the support of the Italian Embassy in Belgrade and the trade agency ITA.