The Italian Ambassador to Tanzania, Marco Lombardi, presented his credential letters to the General Secretary of the East African Community, Peter Mathuki. During the meeting held in Arusha, Mathuki highlighted the importance for the EAC of its relations with Italy, and recalled the significant results of the “Meeting with Africa”, held in Rome on October 7 and 8.
The Secretary General of the EAC said he hoped to stipulate a Memorandum of Understanding with Italy very soon, which would initiate programs of cooperation in the sectors of the environment, energy, health and education.
Lombardi, who said it was an honor for him to represent Italy in the regional organization that unites all the nations of western Africa, placed particular emphasis in his remarks on the importance of integration among neighboring countries. In this connection, he pointed to the example of the EU that has brought an unprecedented period of progress, development and wellbeing to Europe, for the first time in the history of our continent. He also announced that the AICS (the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development) is in the process of setting up regional health programs that will serve to facilitate cooperation and best practice exchanges among the countries of western Africa. Mathuki, in confirming that the EAC looks to the EU as a model, made a point of thanking Italy for its valuable partnership with the East African Community.
