Islamabad, 13 August 2022 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, received Andreas Ferrarese, Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, at the Foreign Office on Friday.
Pleased to receive 🇮🇹 Amb HE Andreas Ferrarese today. Highlighted the longstanding friendly 🇵🇰 🇮🇹 rels & appreciated our multifaceted bilat. coop. Underlined the need to further enhance coop in trade & investment and strengthening ppl to ppl ties. pic.twitter.com/4MuKiChUU0
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) August 12, 2022
During the meeting, the Foreign Minister underscored the longstanding friendly ties between Pakistan and Italy. Moreover, the Minister also appreciated multifaceted bilateral cooperation between the two states.
The Foreign Minister also highlighted the need to further increase cooperation in several areas including trade and investment. He also stressed the deepening of people-to-people ties.
Further, the Minister appreciated Italian Ambassador Ferrarese for his role in strengthening relations between the two countries during his tenure in Islamabad.
Previous meetings of the Ambassador
Earlier, the Ambassador of Italy also called on Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday. During their meeting, the Prime Minister termed Italy as Pakistan’s close ally and reliable partner.
The Prime Minister also highlighted Italy’s support in the context of the European Union’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP). Moreover, both dignitaries discussed issues of mutual interest.
Previously, the Italian Ambassador also met Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in July.
Pakistan and Italy Relations
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1948. Since then, Pakistan and Italy have enjoyed deep-rooted political ties. Moreover, they maintain strong cooperation and relations in development and non-development sectors.
Additionally, Italy has contributed over 1 billion euros to Pakistan’s development sectors, including health, agriculture, education, and rural development.
Further, Italy is Pakistan’s 3rd largest trading partner in the EU. The bilateral trade volume between the states grew from 1.42 Billion Euros in 2019 to 1.52 Billion Euros in 2021.
According to Ambassador of Italy Andreas Ferrarese, although global trade shrank during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Pakistan’s exports to Italy grew by 22.1 % in 2021.
Moreover, in 2013, Pakistan and Italy signed Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP). According to it, both states agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of security and defense.
