Minister Alfano is in Moscow for institutional talks

“ My visit takes place within a broader scenario of high level talks and testifies Italy’s interest in maintaining and enhancing the dialogue with Russia, a country we historically consider to be a neighbour and a friend.. We are, in fact, convinced that the international community cannot disregard a dialogue with Moscow, especially on the major international crises and global challenges which undermine our security,” said Minister Alfano. This morning, at 9 a.m., Minister Alfano will meet, at the residence [of the Italian diplomatic mission] an extensive group of members of the [Italian]economic community working in Russia. The event will be attended by 150 firms and will be opened by the Ambassador with an address, to be followed by Minister Alfano speech. Before starting the institutional talks, the Minister will greet the staff working at the Embassy, the Consulate General and the ICE [Italian Trade Agency] offices in Moscow. At 11 a.m., Minister Alfano will meet Foreign Minister Sergej Lavrov at the Ministry premises. On the ministers’ agenda there are issues regarding Libya, Syria and Ukraine, as well as other international and bilateral topics ranging from the political and economic cooperation to cultural and scientific initiatives. At the end of the talks, around noon, there will be a joint press conference (with Italian and Russian simultaneous interpretation) to be followed by a working lunch of the two ministers. In the afternoon, at 3.30 p.m., Minister Alfano will meet Prime Minister Arkady V. Dvorkovic, at the institutional Government premises.These talks will focus especially on the economic partnership between the two countries and will close with a joint press conference, which will officially end of the Minister Alfano’s visit.