The mission to Berlin of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edmondo Cirielli, concluded today, following bilateral consultations with the Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, Serap Güler and the State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Niels Annen. With a focus on shared priorities in the fields of development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and the management of migration flows—with particular attention to Africa, the Sahel and the Middle East—the mission forms part of the strengthening of bilateral dialogue announced at the Intergovernmental Summit held on 23 January.
During the meetings, Deputy Minister Cirielli reiterated the central role of Africa as a strategic priority of Italy’s foreign policy and development cooperation, in line with the Mattei Plan and the Rome Process on development and migration. Italy’s intention to keep resources allocated to development cooperation broadly stable was also confirmed, while promoting joint Italian–German projects in sectors of common interest. The parties shared the need to move beyond purely assistance-based approaches, favouring initiatives aimed at sustainable development, job creation and the strengthening of public–private partnerships.
On the margins of his institutional engagements, the Deputy Minister visited the international trade fair Fruit Logistica, the leading global event for the fruit and vegetable sector and related logistics, where he met with the many Italian companies in attendance and visited the Italian Trade Agency stand. Deputy Minister Cirielli also addressed an event hosted at the Italian Embassy dedicated to the challenges facing the fruit and vegetable sector, underlining its strategic importance not only from an economic perspective, but also as a key element of Italy’s production identity worldwide.
