Farnesina Secretary-General, Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi had a bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paul Huijts
The meeting gave them an opportunity to have a detailed exchange of views on the most significant issues on the European and international bilateral agenda, finding agreement in many dossiers of mutual interest.
Ambassador Sequi noted the recent meetings in Rome between Prime Minister Draghi and Prime Minister Rutte, and between the two Foreign Ministers Di Maio and Hoekstra, highlighting the relevance of the Netherlands as a political and economic partner for Italy. From that standpoint, he illustrated the investment opportunities arising from the Italian PNRR (national recovery and resilience plan).
On international issues, the two Secretaries General discussed the war in Ukraine, reasserting the need for EU and NATO countries to stay united in their support of Kiev and keeping up pressure on Moscow. In view of the NATO Summit in Madrid, Sequi and Huijts repeated the centricity of the Atlantic Alliance and agreed on the high expectations for adoption of the new Strategic Concept on security and defence in the Euro-Atlantic area.
Sequi and Huijts discussed the energy autonomy of the European Union and the prospects of Ukraine, Moldavia and the Western Balkan countries joining.
The two Secretaries General also discussed certain issues relating to management of their respective ministries including the adoption of policies to encourage gender equality, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency at the head offices and abroad.
Ambassador Sequi and Secretary-General Huijts also reiterated the wish to consolidate opportunities for dialogue between the Italian and Dutch Foreign Ministries, including in the context of the Van Wittel/Vanvitelli strategic roundtable presided over by the respective Ministers.