The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, participated in the Public Assembly of Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo entitled Africa e Medio Oriente. Trasformazioni e traiettorie in un nuovo contesto globale (Africa and the Middle East. Transformations and Trajectories in a New Global Context).
The event took place following the first Italy-Africa Summit, which opened a new phase of relations and initiatives ‘for and with’ the African countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that Africa “is a priority of Italian foreign policy, committed to initiating a concrete partnership between equals through our economic diplomacy, which wants and must lead to mutually beneficial growth”.
Hon. Tajani added: “The path outlined by the Mattei Plan is our guiding star.” He recalled the initiatives recently undertaken by the Foreign Ministry: the recent opening of a new Embassy in Mauritania and of three new ICE Agency offices in Dakar, Nairobi and Lagos, as well as the forthcoming openings of SACE, SIMEST and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti offices in some North African and Sub-Saharan African countries.
With specific reference to the Middle East, the Deputy Prime Minister stated: “There is utmost attention by the government in view of de-escalation and the achievement of a peace that can ensure the security of the State of Israel and give the Palestinian people the hope of having an independent State recognised by all in the future.” He reiterated that such an outcome is the essential prerequisite for the entire region to grow in a context of security and stability.
