(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 15 SET - "The Western Balkan countries are European," and "we must ensure their entry into the European Union—as is their right—as soon as possible," said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani today, speaking at a discussion in Trieste titled "Accelerating Western Balkans Integration: A Strategic Choice for Europe's Future." However, Europe must not take a hostile stance in this regard: "We must be strict about accession procedures but not obstructive. If we delay due to bureaucracy, we risk losing the Balkans politically, given Russia, China, and Arab nations' competing interests. This is a political priority in Italy," he stated. Montenegrin Foreign Minister Enver Ibrahimovic also attended the roundtable, which was part of the Southeast Europe Observatory's Annual Forum in Trieste. Tajani stated that "Italy is investing: we have a strong presence in Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we are working to ensure that the Western Balkan countries join our Europe as soon as possible. This will help the West to become stronger." The minister also mentioned the IMEC corridor, which "will allow the entire Balkans and Central Europe to experience economic growth." However, it is necessary to "work to ease tensions in the Balkans" in order to ensure "stability" and "economic growth." "European defence is not opposed to NATO; rather, it is NATO's European pillar," he explained. Regarding tensions in the Balkans, Tajani stated that "once these countries are in the European Union, the conflicts will inevitably subside." "We remain convinced that Serbia should be a future member of the European Union; even if there are mistakes—choices we disagree with—these cannot be insurmountable barriers to EU accession," Tajani added, responding to a question about state funeral honours for Ratko Mladić while attending the Southeast Europe Observatory's Annual Forum in Trieste and before a mission to Slovenia. Tajani stated that they had no comment on Mladić's state honours, but underlined that Serbian authorities did not attend: "It was a decision made—one that I don't think is particularly impressive, and which could have been avoided—but we are focused on the progress Serbia needs to make to join Europe." (ANSA).