Italian diplomacy prioritizes relations with GCC members: Frattini

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Frattini made the remarks in a press conference at the Foreign Press Association in Italy on the occasion of the start of the enforcement of Lisbon Treaty. The treaty on European Union (EU) reforms, signed by the EU member states on December 13, 2007, takes effect on December 1, 2009.

Asked by KUNA on the main features of the Italian policy for the GCC, he said the development of the Italian-GCC ties is one of the main axes of the Italian diplomacy. In 2009 Italy restarted to strengthen its presence in the Gulf area after a period of absence, the minister underscored.

The two sides have doubled the senior-level visit exchanges out of their shared desire to enhance the relationship in all fields, he pointed out.

Frattini noted that the meeting between Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and His Highness the Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah here last week was part of the friendly exchanges between the two countries.

Frattini plans to visit the State of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in January, 2010, after visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar earlier in 2009.

Italy is Saudi Arabia’s largest trade partners among the 27 EU member states. It is also a leading trade partner Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, he pointed out.

The GCC member states share Italy the desire to bolster up the friendly relations in all fields particularly in the domain of mutual investment, he said, recalling the GCC decision to choose Rome as the host of the GCC Week cultural activities in October.

During their meetings, the Italian and the GCC leaders focussed on four major issues of common concern namely, the Iranian nuclear dossier, the EU-GCC relationship, the dialogue among civilizations, and the bilateral economic ties, he revealed.

Italy backs the GCC position in the free trade talks with the EU and eyes clearing the free trade agreement between the two regional blocs as early as possible, Frattini added.

 

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