From today, Sunday 12 March, to Tuesday 14 March, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, will be on a mission to Israel and Palestine, with stops in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Ramallah. The visit is part of the Italian Government’s strategy for more effective cooperation with the countries of the enlarged Mediterranean in the field of economics, energy, migration management and the fight against terrorism.
With the aim of further strengthening Italy’s excellent bilateral relations with Israel, Deputy Prime Minister Tajani will meet President Herzog, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Cohen in Jerusalem, and will visit Yad Vashem, i.e. the Holocaust memorial. A discussion on the main regional crises is also on the agenda. In Tel Aviv, Deputy Prime Minister Tajani will attend the last leg of the Roadshow for the presentation of Leonardo’s Business Innovation Factory (BIF) accelerator, which is dedicated to the selection of innovative start-ups, and an event to promote important international sports events that Italy will host in the coming months, including the Ryder Cup and the Giro d’Italia.
“Israel is a fundamental partner for us,” said Deputy Prime Minister Tajani. “We want to deepen bilateral cooperation in every sector, with a special focus on growth opportunities in the economic, scientific-technological and energy fields.”
Deputy Prime Minister Tajani will also travel to Ramallah for talks with Palestinian Authority President Abbas, Prime Minister Shtayyeh and his counterpart Malki. Italy is at the forefront in strengthening Palestinian institutions, also through a special Carabinieri training mission aimed at the Palestinian Security Forces. The commitment of Italian Development Cooperation is significant, as it finances activities and projects in various sectors, including health, gender equality and entrepreneurship.
