Kosovo's future lies within the European Union but the country must press ahead with a series of reforms if its bid to enter the bloc is to be successful, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday.
"The reform path that Kosovo must follow is essential for its integration...Italy is strongly convinced that Kosovo's future is in Europe," he said.
Italy will continue to lobby in Brussels on a series of issues starting with visa liberalisation for Kosovan citizens, which we hope will be granted very soon," Di Maio added.