Mario Monti backs the UfM in a call for strengthening the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation
Bari, 7th September – During his speech at the opening day of the Fiera del Levante, in Bari, the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Monti, stated that the Mediterranean region is the heart of Italy’s external action. In his words: “Given the transformation processes after the Arab Spring, we are currently engaged in reviewing our relations with the southern countries, and fully support the development of freedom, democracy, prosperity and growth in the entire region. Bringing the two shores of the Mediterranean together will also create opportunities to generate economic stability”.
“Italy is strongly committed to reinforce the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation – he continued – through its participation in forums for dialogue, like the Dialogue 5 +5, with five Northern countries (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Malta) and five Southern countries (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Mauritania), which constitutes an effective and structured sectorial collaboration that intends to be an engine for the integration process of the whole area”.
