Italy: Exports, peacekeeping, key to growth, govt goal €700bn

13 Gennaio 2025

(Adnkronos) – The government is aiming for 700 billion euros worth of exports, which are crucial for Italy’s economic growth; and peacekeeping missions, the green economy, investment and research are vital to boost trade, according to foreign minister Antonio Tajani. 

“We want to hit 700 billion in exports, which are fundamental for growth,” Tajani said at the presentation at the foreign ministry in Rome of the annual ‘Italy in 10 Selfies’ report which highlights strengths of th national economy. 

“In terms of the number of exported products, we are second only to China and number one in Europe. We want to support companies,” Tajani underlined. 

“Italian know-how is a brand that is sought after all over the world. We are ahead in the green economy, which must be an opportunity and not a problem, Tajani said. 

In a sign of its commitment to boosting Italy’s exports and internationalising its companies, the government organised an event in Milan dedicated to exports and diplomacy, Tajani recalled.  

“In Damascus, I insisted a lot on the economic and commercial presence of our country,” Tajani added. 

Tajani referred to his visit to Syria at the weekend where he held talks with its Islamist new rulers. During the visit Tajani called for talks on easing European Union sanctions imposed on the regime of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country last month after the takeover by opposition armed group Hayt Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). 

Italy needs to make itself ever-more attractive to foreign investors, and private savings can increasingly be part of investment for growth, including in the green economy, Tajani argued. 

“You cannot do trade policy without innovation and research. We are working on many fronts to increase the flights that are needed to grow our interconnected economy. There are so many opportunities that we must not miss,” he said. 

Tajani will travel to EU candidate Serbia at the end of January, he stated.  

“The Balkans are a strategic priority, and.. we want to be present in the whole international arena,” he underlined. 

The government also wants “to make similar choices” in war-ravaged Gaza, Tajani said. 

“We hope for a quick solution to end (Israel’s over 15-month-old) war there (against Gaza’s ruling Islamist group Hamas) and for the release of the hostages (still held by Hamas) and the end of the civilian population’s suffering,” said Tajani. 

Ahead of his talks in Damascus with de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (and foreign minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani), Tajani met Lebanon’s newly elected president Joseph Aoun in Beirut on Friday (as well as foreign minister Bou Habib and parliament speaker Nabih Berri), Tajani recalled. 

At the centre of Tajani’s talks in Lebanon was Italy’s firm support for the stabilisation and pacification process in Lebanon, according to a foreign ministry statement. 

“The election of President Aoun represents an historic moment for Lebanon and an important signal for the entire Middle East region,” said Tajani, cited by the statement. 

“We are working to ensure that the ceasefire with Israel may represent the first step towards a sustainable peace,” Tajani added. 

Tajani underlined Italy’s commitment to the stability and security of the Israeli-Lebanese border through the Italian contingent deployed in UNIFIL peacekeeping force, the ten-year bilateral training mission of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the leadership of the Technical-Military Committee for Lebanon. 

”Our peacekeeping missions must encourage this kind of presence of ours,” Tajani said. 

 

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