ROME (ITALPRESS) – The new way of conceiving relations with the African continent, with Italy’s increasingly central role, is the theme at the centre of a conference discussing “Africa, the womb of the world: Italy at the helm of relations with the EU’, organized by the Foreign and International Cooperation Departments of Forza Italia and by the Italian delegation of the EPP to the European Parliament. The conference is taking place in the Hall of Flags of the European Parliament in Italy, with the participation, among others, of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani.
“We need a vision and action to be taken on the African continent. We must also make our fellow citizens understand how important it is for Italy to play a role as a bridge between Africa and the EU. Africa is a priority issue and we must not abandon that continent,” stated Minister Tajani, adding, “Even in Africa there is a problem of internal immigration because there are some African countries that do not want to lose their good human resources that flee to Europe”. Tajani remarked that this is a problem not only of public order but also of politics. “This is why we need a vision and a strategy and this government has it. We are moving forward on the Mattei Plan, we are working, and part of our presence in Africa is aimed at promoting the growth of the African continent.” Tajani confirmed that he will be visiting Egypt in the coming days. “I will be in Egypt in the middle of the month, the 17th. We are planning a series of visits to Africa. We also talked about it today in the Vatican during a big event on children’s rights”, he concluded.
“What should we do with the Mattei Plan? First, defend the stability of the States. We need to give something in return if we want the common management of migration. The European mistake and the Italian mistake often did not want to give anything in exchange other than money. That’s not what they’re looking for. Then comes the industrialization of Africa, to transform raw materials locally. Therefore we need to create medium infrastructures, beyond the large corridors”, explained Mario Giro, Head of International Relations for the Community of Sant’Egidio, and former Vice-Minister at the MAECI.
For Emanuela Del Re, former deputy minister for foreign affairs, “It is a very positive sign that a member country of the European Union becomes the leader of a project like the Mattei Plan, in a historical moment in which we need courage and to have leadership. Italy, in the European context, is taking the attitude that I consider most appropriate at this moment.” “The European Union,” he continued, “must move on values, but also think on interests. This is a balance that I must say Italy is currently implementing”.
“The African continent and the European continent share a long history of cultural and commercial interaction,” said Senator Tony Iwobi, “but today, more than ever, it is necessary to develop innovative strategies that enhance sustainability, inclusion, and cooperation. Cultural tourism can build bridges between our communities, enhancing the artistic, historical and gastronomic heritage: we must facilitate connections and accessibility, invest in infrastructure and transport between Africa and Italy, promote cooperation agreements, essential to increase tourist flows bilateral”.
“Africa represents 3% of world trade, while the European Union represents 15.3%. The European Union represents 17% of the world’s GDP, while Africa, with 18% of the world’s population, represents 5.3%. Despite these dysfunctions, Africa and the European Union are facing common challenges that require a united and coordinated response, first and foremost the management of migratory flows,” said Youssef Balla, Moroccòs ambassador to Italy. “The European Union, through Italy, is essential to face the challenges of building a more prosperous future. It depends on our ability to establish truly balanced partnerships and on understanding common challenges. Africa can and must be a strategic ally and a key player in building a more just and sustainable world,” he concluded while emphasizing the importance of infrastructure in Africa as fundamental.
Due to this deficiency, the import-export ratio between African countries is only 4%, while in other continents it is usually around 40%. If you don’t invest in infrastructure, nothing will work. The Mattei plan is very ambitious and we appreciate it. For the development of Africa, we need to create a platform that transmits Italian technology and knowledge to African countries. Italy is the country that can do it. In Italy, there are leaders like Tajani, Meloni, and Salvini who can do it. There is the will, the history, and the possibilities for Italy to invest in the development of Africa”, underlined the Egyptian ambassador to Italy, Bassam Radi.
“Africa has a growing weight in global development. Talking about Africa today means talking about the Mattei Plan, an evolving platform for an investment plan that also attracts financial resources from multilateral development banks and other large partners, supported by shared values with African countries. I believe that through a vision, through good alliances, through resources and a strategic capacity for interventions, the destinies between Italy and Africa and between Europe and Africa can only become more intertwined, with common benefits”, concluded Nicoletta Bombardiere, general director of Globalization of the MAECI.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
