BELGRADE, Serbia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Friday that his country’s trade volume with Italy rose to more than $5 billion but the aim is to enhance it further.

Vucic, speaking to reporters at a news conference with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, said the aim is to significantly increase the trade volume with Italy.

Noting that the volume of trade with Italy has exceeded €5 billion ($5.18 billion), he noted that Serbia accounts for one-third of Italy's trade in the western Balkans.

Vucic also thanked Italy for its support of Serbia's EU path.

For his part, Tajani pointed out good relations with Serbia, which he stated it "strongly felt" in the economic ties.

The presence of Italian companies in Serbia is not only an economic message but also a symbol of friendship that has lasted for centuries, added Tajani who visited Serbia for the Italy-Serbia Business Forum.

The foreign minister noted that the Balkans are among the priority regions in Italy’s foreign policy and expressed that it strongly supports the integration of the region into the EU.