The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, will be on mission tomorrow in Barcelona and Cernobbio.
In Barcelona, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will take part in a meeting with Italian and Spanish entrepreneurs, organised by the Italian Embassy in Madrid in cooperation with the Italian Chambers of Commerce in Spain and the Italian Trade Agency’s Office in Madrid. Minister Tajani will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Spanish Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo Caballero. These engagements will provide an opportunity to review the state of economic relations between Rome and Madrid, as well as to discuss the European trade agenda, with particular focus on the EU-US agreement on tariffs and the EU-Mercosur deal, and on opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation in third markets, starting with North Africa and Latin America.
In 2024, Spain accounted for 5.7% of Italy’s total global trade, making it Italy’s fourth-largest trading partner worldwide (surpassing China) and its third-largest within the EU. It is also the second country in the world in terms of stock of Italian Foreign Direct Investment, with over EUR 46 billion, and hosts more than 2,000 Italian companies.
On the margins of his visit, Tajani will attend a meeting of the European People’s Party.
From Barcelona, the Minister will travel to Cernobbio to attend the 51st edition of the Ambrosetti Forum, entitled “Today’s and tomorrow’s scenario for competitive strategies”, organised by The European House – Ambrosetti, with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In this framework, at 5:30 p.m., Minister Tajani will take part in an interview, open to the accredited press, with Maria Bartiromo, journalist with Fox News Channel, followed by a conversation with Ferruccio de Bortoli of Corriere della Sera.
The Deputy Prime Minister will address the main current international, European and national issues: from the conflict in Ukraine – reaffirming Italy’s commitment to peace and the reconstruction of the country – to the crisis in the Middle East – reiterating Rome’s firm condemnation of plans for the annexation of the West Bank, and the urgent need for humanitarian aid access to Gaza and for the release of hostages. Minister Tajani will then focus on international trade and transatlantic relations, confirming the Government’s commitment to opening new trade routes and strengthening the network of economic partnerships through the Action Plan for Italian Exports in high-potential non-EU markets.
Click here to follow Minister Tajani’s speech at the 51st edition of the Cernobbio Forum
