ROME/ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, along with her delegation, met with Pakistan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema yesterday, the 29th of April. This meeting underscored the ongoing commitment of Italy to Pakistan, focusing on economic support and development cooperation. Held at the residence of the Prime Minister in Islamabad, the discussion revealed the depth and potential of bilateral relations between the two nations of Italy and Pakistan.
Ambassador Armellin was accompanied by First Secretary Augusto Palmieri and Francesco Zatta, a representative from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The meeting highlighted the flourishing state of bilateral relations, especially in the domain of development cooperation. The current cooperative endeavors are substantial, with a portfolio exceeding €150 million, predominantly composed of developmental loans. These initiatives demonstrate a robust potential for further expansion, a sentiment echoed by both parties involved.
A significant part of the dialogue focused on Italy’s response to the catastrophic floods in 2022 in Pakistan. According to a press statement from the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Ambassador Armellin highlighted the progress in implementing the current development portfolio funded by Italy, including a special assistance package aimed at disaster recovery and resilience. The ambassador reassured that the Italian government would continue to support Pakistan’s economic development activities vigorously.
During the talks, Ambassador Armellin reaffirmed Italy’s support for Pakistan, particularly emphasising the management of natural resources. Italy’s involvement is critical in areas such as glacier protection—Pakistan is notably home to the ‘Third Pole’, containing more ice than anywhere outside the polar regions—and enhancing the utilisation of water resources for irrigation.
Minister Ahad Khan Cheema expressed his gratitude towards Italy for its steadfast support over the years. He acknowledged the need for improvements in Pakistan’s agricultural supply chains, which are vital for the country’s economy. The discussion also touched upon future collaborations that could help elevate Pakistan’s economic landscape, particularly in agriculture and natural resource management.
Minister Cheema also conveyed his appreciation to the Italian Ambassador on Italy’s long-standing bilateral cooperation with Pakistan since the signing of a joint declaration on July 14, 2005, aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in economic and commercial fields. He emphasised the shared values and perspectives on global matters and highlighted the significance of Italy’s economic assistance.
“Pakistan attaches great importance to the economic assistance extended by the Government of Italy,” Minister Cheema stated, expressing gratitude for the support. He assured Ambassador Armellin of Pakistan’s dedication to closely collaborate with Italy, ensuring the effective implementation and ongoing review of development projects while further strengthening bilateral ties.
Italy is poised to play a pivotal role in supporting Pakistan’s journey towards enhanced economic stability and growth, especially on grounds of economic cooperation.
