Rome, 16 February 2024 (TDI): Antonio Tajani, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation held a crucial meeting with Luminița Odobescu, Romanian Foreign Minister on the occasion of the third Intergovernmental Summit between Italy and Romania In Rome.
The meeting aimed to fortify the bonds between the two nations and enhance bilateral cooperation across various fronts.
During the meeting, Tajani underscored the shared commitment to deepen and expand the strategic partnership between Italy and Romania.
He emphasized the historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between the two countries. He expressed his desire for the prospects of further collaboration and cooperation between Italy and Romania.
Both ministers affirmed their alignment on key issues on the European and international agenda, indicating a strong foundation for collaboration on matters of mutual interest.
Odobescu expressed Romania’s keen interest in participating in the Aspides operation. She showcased Romania’s support for the Italian initiative to launch an EU mission in the Red Sea. This sentiment highlights the shared commitment to addressing regional and global challenges in partnership.
During the meeting, Tajani highlighted Romania as an essential economic and commercial partner for Italy. He cited the impressive annual trade exchange valued at nearly EUR 19 billion in 2022.
Furthermore, he expressed satisfaction with the significant contributions made by Italian companies in Romania and expressed hope for further collaborations, particularly in high-tech sectors.
To strengthen our economic relationship, Deputy Prime Minister Tajani announced the inauguration of the Italy-Romania Business Forum. It will be presented at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Odobescu and Romanian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Sorin-Mihai Grindeanu, will co-host this forum in Rome. Its goal is to encourage dialogue and find ways to improve economic cooperation between Italy and Romania.
During the meeting, two technical agreements were also signed to deepen bilateral cooperation. The first agreement was a Memorandum on cooperation and structured consultations between the two Foreign Ministries. It also seeks to enhance coordination on major European and international issues.
The second agreement, a Memorandum on civil servant training between the respective National Schools of Administration, aims to foster collaboration through joint training programs, exchange of expertise, and research activities.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s meeting with Minister Odobescu underscores Italy’s commitment to strengthening relations with Romania and fostering greater collaboration on regional and global challenges.
