This morning Deputy Minister Manlio Di Stefano met with New Zealand Trade Minister Damian O’Connor via videoconference.
“The relations between Italy and New Zealand are excellent – began Di Stefano – thanks in part to an Italian community very well integrated into the country and to the sharing of the values of multilateralism and the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.”
Bilateral trade relations, negotiations within the World Trade Organisation, the G20 and APEC presidencies are the topics on the table. Hoping for the rapid conclusion of negotiations for an EU-New Zealand free trade agreement, the Deputy Minister emphasised the importance for Italy of protecting geographical indications.
“Italy and New Zealand – said the Deputy Minister – although geographically on opposite sides, share the same approach to international trade, which should be as open and fairly governed as possible. For this reason, we strongly believe in the reform of the World Trade Organisation, where we also want to include principles of sustainability and environmental protection.”
“Italy and New Zealand hold the G20 and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) presidencies respectively this year so that we can work jointly towards common goals,” concluded the Deputy Minister.
