Diplomacy&Commerce magazine, from the very first issue, cooperates with Italian embassy and reports about news and events occurring in Italian community in Serbia. Today is Festa della Repubblica, the Italian National Day and Republic Day which is celebrated on 2nd June each year. Many years we spent together on this day. Dear Friends, Buona festa della Repubblica! 
Video message from Ambassador Carlo Lo Cascio for the Italian Republic Day – June 2nd
Dear compatriots, dear friends,
this year we celebrate Republic Day in Belgrade in a different way, without any public event, as a sign of respect for the victims of the coronavirus epidemic in Italy and Serbia, which we want to remember today by joining the pain of family members.
As you know, it was – and still is – a very tough test for our country, a test that the Italians have shown they can deal with a sense of responsibility, strength of mind and extraordinary solidarity. Thanks to all those who, in recent months, have worked in difficult conditions to save lives, even at the cost of risking their own. I believe that, in such troubled circumstances, the best Italy has come out, the Italy that does not give up and that fights in the name of high ideals.
In the fight against the “coronavirus”, many friendly and partner countries have helped us, who have comforted us with their support and closeness. I wish to renew my thanks to Serbia and to President Vučić for the generous donation of medical material to Italy. It was an authentic gesture of friendship, destined to remain in the history of our bilateral relations.
Here, in Serbia, we have received many manifestations of solidarity and I take this opportunity to thank all those, and there have been many, who have felt their affection for Italy and the Italian people. Hvala svima!
The latest data coming from Italy confirm that we are going in the right direction. After so much suffering, in our country there is now a desire to start again. We know that it will not be easy, but we all have to contribute to the economic recovery and the relaunch of the image of Italy which has always been synonymous for the art, beauty and culture in the world, as well as entrepreneurial spirit and industrial talent.
Even in the most difficult moment of the emergency, we have never stopped looking at the European Union, our constant point of reference. For this reason too, we have hoped for financial instruments suited to the challenge we are facing and which affects all European countries. We believe that, faced with an epochal crisis, it is in everyone’s interest to work to guarantee the future of the whole of Europe. For this reason, we continue to believe in the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union, supporting Serbia’s European path, as Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio recalled during his visit to Belgrade a few months ago.
Finally, I would like to extend a special greeting to our compatriots who live and work in Serbia. The Embassy remains, as always, at your side for every need, even in this complex moment. Since the beginning of the crisis, we have assisted many compatriots to return to Italy and have continued to provide consular services, especially for the most urgent cases.
We will continue to work together, to support the many Italian companies present here. I invite you to leave together with renewed impetus, creating new opportunities for collaboration between Italy and Serbia and promoting “Made in Italy” on the Serbian market with even more energy.
Dear compatriots, dear friends,
this is the time to trust our country! This is why we say today, with even more force, long live Italy!
Carlo Lo Cascio