Italy-Libya: Economic Forum in Agrigento on 7-8 July

Rome - The first Italian-Libyan Economic Forum will be held in Agrigento. The minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, reveals: "I chose Agrigento because of its strategic position in relation to Libya and the Mediterranean. It will be a significantly important occasion to draw up future scenarios for the economic recovery of Libya. Historically, Libya has been an exceptional partner for Italy, not only on a political and safety level, but also from an economic point of view.

The Italian Government - explained Alfano - is strongly committed to stability in the country and the return of suitably safe conditions to relaunch all-round bilateral relations especially those regarding cooperation on economic, infrastructure and energy matters".The Forum will be structured around four panels discussing matters linked to the context of investments, infrastructure and energy as well as financial networks and tools.

The event will be opened by Minister Alfano and the Deputy Prime Minister of Libya, Maitig. It aims to explore the opportunities offered by Libya in these sectors and, for the first time, bring together key representatives from the world of Italian business, finance and consulting and the heads of the Libyan government.A Declaration of Intent which, in underlining the special relationship between Italy and Libya, will outline the parameters for economic cooperations as part of the desired framework of progressive political stabilization in the country, will be signed on the evening prior to the opening of the Forum, in the evocative surroundings of the Valley of the Temples.