The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Emanuela Del Re, received at the Farnesina the European Commissioner of International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica.
The meeting focused on reviewing Italy’s and the EU Commission’s common commitment towards sustainable development and the achievement of the “2030 Agenda”, recalling the centrality of the three Rome-based UN and food and agriculture Agencies and agreeing on the need to enhance synergies between these institutions.
The Deputy Foreign Minister and the EU Commissioner then went on to take stock of the situation ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council (Development) of 26 November, which is scheduled to especially focus on Africa and on the resources to be allocated to cooperation in the next EU budget.
On the issue of migration, the two officials agreed on the need for an approach favouring development and eradicating poverty, which is the principal cause of the phenomenon. Deputy Minister Del Re reaffirmed Italy’s conviction of the necessity of a comprehensive approach to the problem, as established by the Council of Europe, by boosting cooperation with the Countries of origin and transit and more specifically with North Africa.
Lastly, Deputy Minister Del Re informed the EU Commissioner of her upcoming visit to the Horn of Africa scheduled for the beginning of December.
