Italy has always been very supportive of the European integration of the Western Balkans, a strategic region on the other side of the Adriatic with which “we have a very deep historical, social and economic bond”.
This was stated by the Foreign Secretary, Ivan Scalfarotto, commenting for “Agenzia Nova” the decision of the European Council to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. According to what Scalfarotto pointed out, Italy considers the Balkans to be a delicate area for Europe since its entry into the EU. “We were disappointed by the previous stop at the start of accessing negotiations and insisted on rewarding the great sacrifice made by Albania and North Macedonia with an important reform work”, declared Scalfarotto, recalling in particular the change of name accepted by the government in Skopje, as a gesture “of great symbolic importance”. In Mr Scalfarotto’s view, the European integration of the Balkans represents a “mutual benefit” for the region and for Europe.