Minister Terzi told his visitor how much Italy appreciates the Cameroon Government’s commitment to democratic stabilisation and economic reform. He underscored the Italian business community’s interest in the exploiting the opportunities provided by the opening of Cameroon’s market to foreign investment, opportunities that were illustrated during a “Country Presentation” by Confindustria during the Cameroonian delegation’s visit to Italy.
Minister Moukoko Mbonjo told his host that he shares this desire to establish closer economic and commercial relations between the two countries and confirmed that Cameroon would be taking part in Expo 2015.
The two ministers devoted ample time during their meeting to regional security, especially as regards the crisis in Mali and measures to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Terzi underscored that respect by all parties of the fundamental principles of international law is a vital pre-condition for the success of the international efforts to fight piracy. Starting with the sole jurisdiction of the flag-state in international waters and the functional immunity of military personnel engaged in anti-piracy operations.
The discussion was also an opportunity for the two ministers to discuss the peaceful resolution of the dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria over the Bakassi Peninsula. Minister Terzi described the case, resolved through recourse to the International Court of Justice and the application of its judgment, as an example of “best practice” by the international community.
Lastly, Ministers Terzi and Moukoko Mbonjo expressed their intention to further develop bilateral collaboration in the cultural and scientific sectors. Relations here are already very close, as witnessed by the large, and very active, community of Cameroonian students in Italy.
