The political/economic issues of the southern shores of the Mediterranean will be the main focus of Minister Giulio Terzi’s upcoming calendar.
Italo-Turkish dialogue forum and bilateral meeting
He will start on Monday 12 November with a dialogue forum and bilateral meeting in Rome with his Turkish colleague Ahmet Davutoglu. This two-fold appointment, spokesperson Giuseppe Manzo reported in his customary press briefing, falls within the context of two countries’ frequent contacts and follows only a few months on from May’s second intergovernmental summit in Rome, during which a number of agreements were signed on themes that included social security, the fight against organized crime and environmental protection. The dialogue forum, organized by Unicredit Bank and the Turkish foreign ministry’s strategic studies centre, will be attended by representatives of both civil societies (political, economic, financial and academic spheres) and be moderated by Vice President of the Italian Senate Emma Bonino.
Itali-Algerian summit
On Wednesday 14 November Minister Terzi will fly to Algiers with Premier Monti and Ministers Cancellieri, Passera and Di Paola for the Italo-Algerian intergovernmental summit. The occasion, as described by ministry spokesperson Giuseppe Manzo, will be one for discussions on security and the Mediterranean, and specifically on “regional collaboration on confronting phenomena of instability”. It is expected that numerous economic agreements will be signed.
Joint Italy-Palestinian Territories commission and country presentation
The joint Italy-Palestinian Territories commission meeting on 23 November in Rome will centre on economic relations and bilateral collaboration and be followed by a country presentation on investment opportunities. The joint commission, co-chaired by Terzi and Premier Fayyad, will discuss themes such as cooperation, scientific research and trade promotion, ahead of the opening of an ICE office in Ramallah.
European commitments
The EU Foreign Affairs Council planned for 19 November in Brussels will also deal with the southern Mediterranean, along with the crisis in Mali and EU-Egyptian relations. Italy, Manzo pointed out, “is encouraging Europe’s greater financial commitment to supporting the economic development and stability of the southern Mediterranean”.
Also in the European context, Terzi and Di Paola will participate in a foreign and defence ministers meeting with those of France, Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain in Paris on 15 November. Italy, Manzo explained, is urging a “more coordinated approach on matters of European defence, not least from the point of view of the more efficient and effective management of resources”.
