Today Deputy Minister Benedetto Della Vedova has met, by videoconference, with the Norwegian Secretary of State, Audun Halvorsen. The two counterparts first agreed to give continuity to the political dialogue , within the framework of the excellent bilateral relations, and deepen further economic cooperation prospects, especially in the most innovative sectors, such as green energy.
The meeting has also focused on cooperation between Italy and Norway in the Arctic, particularly in scientific research and the fight against climate change. Deputy Minister Della Vedova and Secretary of State Halvorsen have agreed that the growing international attention paid to the Arctic is associated with environmental concerns and the possibilities of greater economic exploitation connected with the progressive melting of the ice and the region’s sensitivity on the international scene in terms of security.
The Deputy Minister has confirmed Italy’s commitment, as Observer of the Arctic Council, to the region’s governance while fully respecting the sovereign rights of the Arctic States. Deputy Minister Della Vedova has stressed that “at the core of Italian action in the area, there is a long tradition of commitment in scientific research hinging around the “Dirigibile Italia” base, in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, aimed at environmental conservation and fight against climate change.
The Deputy Minister has concluded: “In line with these objectives, the activities of the Italian companies in the region aim to ensure the utmost respect for a very delicate environmental context, through the use of advanced technologies”.
