(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 07 OTT - "The numerous issues raised at this meeting demonstrate how important it is for Europe as a whole to pay close attention to its southern shore. Clearly, in times like these, we tend to focus heavily on the eastern flank, but we must not forget the importance of our southern flank as well," said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following the Med9 summit in Split. She thanked the Croatian Presidency for "the very intelligent handling of the topics addressed at this meeting—which takes place amidst a somewhat complex situation around us, particularly in the Mediterranean area, but also on the eve of an important." "I believe," the Prime Minister continued, "that it was extremely useful to try as much as possible to align the positions of Europe's Mediterranean countries—in the interest of Europe as a whole—and it appears to me that this was exactly the focus of the morning's proceedings." (ANSA).