Italy on Tuesday welcomed progress in the European Union's accession negotiations with Serbia after the bloc opened a new cluster of chapters on energy and the environment.
“Progress in the talks with Serbia on such a key topic as the green agenda is proof that Belgrade has every prospect of moving forwards towards EU membership," foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said in a statement.
"Serbia can count on the constant support of a friendly country like Italy on its journey. Our priority remains the entry into the EU of the western Balkans and giving new momentum to the enlargement process."
The opening of the new negotiating cluster with Serbia "strengthens the goal of EU membership of all countries in the region," the statement said.
The cluster entitled Green agenda and sustainable connectivity includes four negotiating chapters: transport policy, energy, trans-european networks and environment and climate change.
Brussels last opened a negotiating chapter (Freedom of Movement) with Belgrade in December 2019. Serbia became an official EU accession candidate in 2009 and applied for EU membership in 2009.
