Today, the Foreign Affairs Council, in Development format, was convened in Montpellier to discuss the strategic prospects of European development cooperation, biodiversity and sustainable food systems in development policies. Italy was represented by Deputy Minister Marina Sereni.
The meeting, convened by the French Presidency, opened by taking stock of the situation in Ukraine and of the humanitarian assistance provided to the Country by EU Member States. Subsequently, the European Development Ministers, moderated by French Foreign Minister Le Drian and by High Commissioner Borrell, also with the attendance of Commissioner Urpilainen, analysed the principal political challenges that European development cooperation faces. The meeting closed with a point on biodiversity and food sustainability.
“Italy stands with the Ukrainian people in these difficult times. After the 110-million-euro contribution decided by the Minister to support Ukraine’s budget, we are now working on a 25-million-euro financial contribution to respond to the humanitarian appeals launched by the United Nations and by the International Red Cross Movement and we have committed to deliver in-kind assistance to the victims of war within the framework of a mobilisation effort involving the Italian Institutions with the support of civil society,” said Deputy Minister Sereni. She continued: “As for the strategic prospects of development cooperation, Italy participates in many Team Europe initiatives and supports the need to work together, as European Union with its Member States, to build stronger and more effective partnerships with the Countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.”
