ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, Andreas Ferrarese, emphasized the longstanding and harmonious relationship between Italy and Pakistan, highlighting the significant bilateral cooperation and shared views on various issues.
Speaking on the occasion of Italy’s 77th Republic Day, which also coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Ambassador Ferrarese highlighted the significant contributions made by the Pakistani diaspora in Italy and the importance of people-to-people contacts in fostering bilateral ties.
Ambassador Andreas commended the vital support and continued cooperation extended by Pakistan to the international community. He mentioned that Italy is home to the largest Pakistani diaspora in Europe, with a community exceeding 180,000 individuals. Their remarkable contributions to both the Italian and Pakistani economies, including record-high worker remittances amounting to more than 1 billion Euros per year, have further strengthened the ties between the two nations. Italy ranks as the seventh-largest source of worker remittances to Pakistan globally and the top one within the EU countries.
The ambassador highlighted the recent fifth Italy-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) held in Rome, where both sides agreed to establish a joint framework to address climate change and cooperation in water management. The signing of an important “Roadmap for Cooperation” encompassing various sectors such as climate change, trade and investment, heritage and culture, agriculture, technical cooperation, higher education, and technology transfer further demonstrated the commitment to enhance bilateral collaboration.
Italy Among Top Ten Exporting Countries for Pakistan
Ambassador Ferrarese emphasized that Italy remains among the top ten exporting countries for Pakistan globally and the third major trade partner within the EU. Both countries support trade liberalization schemes at the World Trade Organization and reject unilateralism. With Pakistan’s population of approximately 240 million and a growing demand for high-end products, Italy sees Pakistan as an attractive market for Italian companies. The ambassador announced the establishment of an Italian Trade Agency (ICE) office in Islamabad, along with the assignment of the first Italian Trade Director to Pakistan, as a significant step towards enhanced trade cooperation.
In addition to economic affairs, Italy continues to actively engage in community uplift projects in Pakistan. The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has supported numerous projects in agriculture, health, and infrastructure across different regions of the country. Notably, the “Olive Culture Project” has shown promising early success, offering future tangible benefits for Pakistan. The ambassador also highlighted Italy’s involvement in cultural preservation and conservation efforts in Pakistan, including their contributions to the archaeological scene and conservation projects in mountainous areas.
The Italian embassies worldwide are set to commemorate Italian National Day on June 2nd, marking the anniversary of Italy’s momentous referendum in 1946 that determined the nation’s choice between monarchy and republic. This year holds special significance for Pakistan as it also celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations, symbolizing a longstanding and prosperous friendship between the two countries.
Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Andreas Ferrarese, highlighted the importance of this milestone and expressed his gratitude for the strong and meaningful relationship that has flourished over the past 75 years. He emphasized the significant achievements and positive outcomes that have been realized through the diplomatic ties, while also expressing the shared aspiration for even stronger bilateral relations in the future.
A key event in strengthening the relationship took place recently in Italy with the convening of a crucial joint economic commission. Leading the Pakistani delegation, Minister of Climate Change, Sherry Rehman, visited the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where both sides reached a mutual agreement to foster economic cooperation and enhance relations across various sectors.
Ambassador Ferrarese extended warm greetings to all Pakistani friends and invited them to partake in the upcoming celebrations. The occasion serves not only as a time of reflection and appreciation for past accomplishments but also as a collective aspiration for deeper and more robust ties between Italy and Pakistan.
Ambassador Andreas affirmed the Embassy of Italy’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand mutual trade to its full potential. The aim is to foster deeper collaboration with the Pakistani business community, chambers of commerce and industry, and other relevant bodies in both countries.
