Italy and Pakistan enjoy traditionally excellent relations that recently marked a further significant leap forward. The story of Italy-Pakistan relations is a tale of mutual respect, effective co-operation and reciprocal comprehension. In such context, the two countries have recently decided to further strengthen their relationship with the signing, last January in Rome, of a Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP).
An agile yet comprehensive document that offers a more structured framework to the already existing co-operation in the political, economic, cultural and development fields, envisaging regular consultations at ministerial level, also on issues such as security and defence, counter terrorism, global policies and regional security. Far from being just a list of wishful declarations, the SEP traces a concrete road-map through which enrich and strengthen Pakistani-Italian relations, in view of ensuring an ever-closer partnership between our two countries.
Italy and Pakistan share a common vision and goal on many crucial issues. we share with Pakistan a vision of global peace and regional stability, where neighbouring countries can overcome differences and achieve a common prosperity through trade and peaceful exchanges, as we experienced in the European Union.
In fact, in a globalise world, regional co-operation and connectivities are crucial as no country can prosper without a close partnership with its neighbours. For this reason, we wish every success to the normalisation efforts between Pakistan and India, and we hope that, also with Pakistan's crucial contribution, peace, reconciliation and stability will come to Afghanistan.
Our two countries are also co-operating closely in the multilateral fora, and in particular in the endeavour to reform the United Nations Security Council following an inclusive approach. The goal of the Uniting for Consensus group of countries, led by Italy and Pakistan, is precisely to find a shared solution that shall reinforce the credibility and the effectiveness of the UN. In a recent meeting in Rome last January, such principles were reaffirmed, underscoring the determination of our countries to continue working together on this crucial dossier.
Human rights are a further field of shared values and common endeavours. We commend Pakistan for having ratified the UN Conventions on human rights and for having approved important pieces of legislation, particularly about women's rights, and for having taken steps to implement the vision of the Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as he stood for equality and non discrimination especially of religious minorities. Italy considers freedom of expression and religious freedom as fundamental rights and values and, while recognising the challenges, we support the Pakistani Government in the fight against extremism and intolerance.
Of course, we are aware that extremism and militancy can only be countered by a holistic, comprehensive approach tackling, among other things, the root causes. In such context, we recognise and pay tribute to the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the common fight against the scourge of terrorism, that tragically affects this beautiful country causing thousands of victims and uncountable economic losses. We believe that a crucial role to this regard is played by education and investment in human capital, as well as by the creation of social and economic opportunities.
In the economic arena, Italy and Pakistan enjoy close ties, with Italy being Pakistan's third EU commercial partner with a bilateral exchange of about 1.5 billion Euros in 2012. The economic and commercial relations between our two countries are therefore very good, but there is a significant scope for further growth. In fact, the economies of Italy and Pakistan complement each other in many ways, with Italy being amongst the World leaders in sectors such as machinery, automotive, infrastructures, energy, textile, leather, jewellery, fashion and agriculture. All areas in which Pakistan has a key interests. The scope of bilateral collaboration in the economic sector is therefore very large and there is room for further growth, also through the engagement of the 150.000-strong Pakistani community in Italy that can act as supplementary bridge between the two countries..
To further encourage business links between the two Countries and promote bilateral trade, the Italian Embassy in Islamabad is promoting a program of activities in the majority of the trade sectors I mentioned. Amongst these initiatives, we are working for the creation of a full-fledged Italian Chamber of Commerce, by the upgradation of the Italian Development Committee-IDC, with its headquarters in Karachi and chapters in all of the main Pakistani cities, recognised by Italian and Pakistani Authorities. Moreover, the recent signing of the Strategic Engagement Plan, that has also an important economic volet, will contribute to boost our ties also in the economic and commercial dimensions.
Co-operation has been increasing also in the cultural field. The Italian Archaeological projects in Swat and Sindh have delivered very interesting results, such as the discovery of the Udegram Mosque, the third most ancient in the Subcontinent, and the reconstruction, through a debt swap project, of the Saidu Sharif (Mingora) Gandhara Art Museum. Italian archaeologists and specialists in other domains have also held conferences in Islamabad and Karachi. Not least, we have co-sponsored the 2013 Edition of the Karachi Literature Festival and promoted Italian opera to Islamabad, in the framework of the Celebrations for the Bicentennial of the Birth of the opera composer Giuseppe Verdi.
The fact that Italian National day takes place only few weeks after the successful completion of the electoral process in Pakistan, gives me the opportunity to congratulate all our Pakistani friends for an event which marks a historic victory for the democratic life of their country.
Italy supported the elections, also by taking part to the EU Electoral Observation Mission, and has been following with keen interest the developments of the past weeks.
On a very personal note, I feel very happy that I had the chance to live, together with you and amongst you, this defining moment in Pakistan's history.
(The writer is Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan)
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