The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, participated today by videoconference in the informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council – Trade dedicated to the European Commission Communication on the Union’s trade policy review. At the outset, Minister Di Maio thanked EU Commission Vice-President Dombrovskis for his briefing to the Italian Parliament on this Communication, an ambitious document, which marks a break with the past, reflecting Europe’s growing awareness on the issue of environmental and social sustainability.
Openness to international trade, EU competitiveness, reform of the WTO, and guaranteeing a level playing field, sustainable development, social and gender issues, and the participation of SMEs in international trade are key topics not just for the EU but also for the Italian G20 Presidency. Italy supports the European Union’s line on trade policy, trusting that it may support our vocation to export and ensure the regular supply of raw materials, but also strengthen the common trade defence instruments and promote compliance with obligations by our partners and addressing any unfair practices.
Minister Di Maio also reiterated to his European colleagues that Italy supports both the deepening of relations with neighbouring countries and the African continent, and the broadening of the network of free trade agreements with the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America, as well as reviving the transatlantic agenda with the new US administration.
