Deputy Minister Benedetto Della Vedova has met today with New Zealand Ambassador Anthony Simpson. The meeting has focused on the excellent bilateral relations, the convergence of the agendas of the Italian G20 Presidency and the New Zealand Presidency of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), as well as the EU-New Zealand trade negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.
Deputy Minister Della Vedova and Ambassador Simpson have also discussed the prospects for cooperation in Antarctica. “I wish to thank the New Zealand Government,” Deputy Minister Della Vedova has said, “for the efforts made in support of Italian scientific missions in Antarctica during the pandemic phase and I hope that further steps can be taken to facilitate the access of scientists to the bases.”
The Deputy Minister has also emphasised New Zealand’s recent co-sponsorship of the European proposals to establish two new Marine Protected Areas in the region, “a further sign – according to him – that Italy and New Zealand share the same priorities in terms of environmental protection, preservation of biodiversity and fight against climate change.”
The meeting has also been an opportunity to sign the bilateral agreement on air services, which aims to establish the legal framework within which aviation relations between Italy and New Zealand may develop. The agreement is expected to have positive effects on economic cooperation not only in the air transport sector but also in other closely related sectors, such as tourism, which is expected to be revived after the pandemic emergency.
