Alfano at work with Italian Ambassadors in the Gulf Countries to outline an integrated strategy to promote Italy

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, attended the first coordination meeting of the six Italian ambassadors and two General Consuls for the countries that belong to the Gulf Cooperation Council: United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.Minister Alfano said: “The countries that belong to the Gulf Cooperation Council are very important partners for us at the political and strategic level and are a priority market for tens of Italian companies that do business in the area and for many other companies that wish to tap into this vital market.” He also pointed out the major investments made in Italy by several sovereign funds of these states. The aim of the meeting, which was coordinated by Undersecretary Vincenzo Amendola, was to identify the priorities for Italy’s action in the Gulf area and lay the foundations of an integrated strategy for the promotion of Italy in all sectors of interest for our country.The Gulf Countries, which represent one third of the world’s oil and gas reserves and are one of the fastest growing global markets,  offer major opportunities for Italy, particularly in the industrial sectors of defence, infrastructure and scientific and cultural cooperation. They also play a key role in the fight against terrorism and extremism.The minister told the diplomates: “Today we are ready to make a quantum leap and to support new initiatives: this meeting is the first step of a development process.”