Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani spoke today at the “Pontignano Conference”, organised by the British Embassy in Italy and the British Council.
The meeting was centred on the theme “Creating Opportunities” with the aim of identifying new strategic areas of cooperation between the UK and Italy.
In his speech, Minister Tajani underlined the joint commitment shown by Italy and the UK to strengthen peace and security in order to foster global stability and growth. “The recent G7 Minister’s Meeting in Fiuggi-Anagni highlighted the importance of engaging in dialogue with our global partners to address international challenges together. With the UK, we agree on the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and ensuring stability in the Middle East,” said Tajani. “We will continue to cooperate intensively in the G7 and NATO, and exchange views on the issue of controlling irregular migration. We will soon hold a new “2+2 Foreign Defence” meeting with my colleague Crosetto and the two British ministers” continued the Minister.
With regard to economic issues, Tajani highlighted the strong industrial relations between Italy and the UK, including in strategic sectors such as defence. “We place great importance on attracting new investment to Italy. At the beginning of 2025, the second edition of the CEO’s forum will be held in London to explore new partnership opportunities between our companies in innovative sectors such as digital and artificial intelligence, renewables and telecommunications,” explained the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who additionally hoped that university and scientific cooperation could be enhanced, also facilitating student mobility between the two countries.
On the sidelines of the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tajani discussed bilateral relations, the future of relations with the EU and the main international policy dossiers with the British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and the Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds.
