(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JUN 11 - "On the Balkans issue, there is a unanimous position in Parliament, and the government is steadfastly committed to following Italian tradition. I regret that, due to my inability to arrive on time for one of the many summits, a long-standing tradition is being called into question in order to criticise the government. These are bizarre theses, homegrown, meaningless controversies. I attended an event that I believe a prime minister should attend, but when I realised I wouldn't be there on time, I skipped the summit. No colleague of mine has attended all of the summits over the last four years, but I rule out the possibility that the government's position has been called into question in other countries." Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made this statement in the Senate Chamber in response to a general discussion of her communications with the EU Council. (ANSA).