Italian minister stresses Asia-Pacific interests
ADV
ADV
Italian minister stresses Asia-Pacific interests

Italian minister stresses Asia-Pacific interests

di lettura
(AGI) Rome, June 22 - Italy shares Europe's strong interest inthe development of the Asia-Pacific region, as an increasingnumber of initiatives are taken seeking to "transform them intofactual and operationial opportunities" in the region, saidItalian Deputy Foreign Minister, Benedetto Della Vedova, at thesecond Eurasia Workshop in Rome. Andrea Perugini, deputydirector general of the Farnesina [Italy's Foreign AffairsMinistry] read a speech at Milan Expo where the deputy ministerstated that the "Asia-Pacific region is broad and diversified,from an economic, cultural and political standpoint. In thenext decade, the countries in that region will represent, asthey already do, the habitual interlocutors to promote growthand consolidate political measures on the major challenges ofstability and security". The Rome meeting focused onconnectivity "critical to the sustainability of economicgrowth". The deputy minister highlighted the need to createmore connections between the two regions by developing networksand transportation, but also liberalising exchange, services,capital and investments. However, it was important not toneglect social issues of growth, including tourism, student andfaculty exchange programmes, know-how and labour sharing.Equally urgent was "a more effective coordination betweeninstitutions, in drafting policies to harmonise legislation andnorms and share values and principles". This included bilateralrelations with traditional partners such as China, Japan andSouth Korea, as well as with the ASEAN group of countries, "oneof the most dynamic areas in the world which makes up a majorpillar of regional architecture". It was also necessary tocomply with the idea of stability in the area, which Italy isdetermined to support. A bridge between central Italian firmsand the markets of China and the ASEAN led to the EurasiaWorkshop, promoted and supported by Unindustria Lazio,Fondazione Terzo Pilastro, AGI and Regione Lazio, with theFarnesina. It has become a long-term networking project whichis yielding results. This year it was attended by delegationsfrom the cities of Tianjin, Chongqing and the Chinese AgrifoodChamber, who favour Italian exports and the development ofcommon action for technology and know-how with Asia. .
ADV