The following are excerpts from our sister website’s interview with Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Tripodi.
On Italy’s contribution within the UN framework to support least developed countries. “Italy is regaining a leading role,” she said, having attended the 5th United Nations Forum held in Doha, “where I had a very full agenda of bilateral meetings with LDCs” – a “clear sign of how the government intends to relaunch our relations and initiate actions to support the Least Developed Countries through Development Cooperation resources.”
- Ms Tripodi remarked on the nations’ interest in Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s “Marshall Plan for Africa” proposal – consisting in mobilising €100 billion to boost growth and curb emigration.
On international cooperation between Rome and Doha. Spaces for cooperation between Italy and Qatar “may grow further,” as the country is “a strategic partner for Italy in the energy sector” given its drive to diversify away from Russian gas.
- “We are talking about the leading producer of LNG with a capacity to export liquefied natural gas that will grow by over 60% in the coming years. And of a country where our major players operate – from Eni to Leonardo, Saipem, Webuild and Anas.”
- Italy’s excellence operate with Qatar across the energy, shipbuilding and defence industries, “as when Fincantieri, in 2016, won a 4 billion order for the production of ships, including the amphibious unit ‘Al Fulk’ launched in Palermo on January 24 in the presence of [Italian Defence] Minister Guido Crosetto and his Qatari counterpart Mohamed Al Attiyah.”
On Expo 2030. There is “great consideration” for Italy’s bid to host the 2030 Expo. “We are presenting ourselves with an innovative showcase, attentive to the themes of sustainable development, urban regeneration, which for the first time puts ‘Peoples and Territories’ at the centre. It is also rich in opportunities for the participating countries, including after Expo.”
On possibilities for Italian-Qatari cultural cooperation. Having had a “cordial conversation” with H.E. Al-Mayassa Al-Thani, President of Qatar Museums, Ms Tripodi noted “willingness to increase our cooperation” between the respective Museum Poles.
- Italy’s archaeological missions, “given their great experience, could help the Qataris in the recovery of artefacts.”
