By Vestnik Kavkaza
In late November, Vladimir Putin visited Rome where about twenty documents were signed in various spheres. For example, Rosneft and Eni signed an agreement on cooperation in the sphere of logistics and commerce and on oil exports; the Bank for Foreign Economic Activity signed the mutual understanding memorandum with SACE; the same memorandum was signed by the Russian Fund of Direct Investments and the company of Italian Strategic Fund – they will found a joint enterprise and Russian-Italian Investment Fund.
However, along with improvement of business contacts, the visit had a political importance. Vestnik Kavkaza interviewed Italian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Aldo Amati, about Russian and Italian positions in the world arena.
- What do you think about cooperation between Russia and Italy in the international arena? What are prospects of their development?
- The head of the Foreign Ministry Emma Bonino and the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov met at least 3-4 times in the last two months. We share the same view that the conflict in Syria must be solved exclusively through political means. We are glad that now we have a date – January 22- for convening Geneva 2 and I hope the international community will be able to find a way to stop the war and open humanitarian corridors. With Russia we also support the new dialogue with Teheran and the 5+1 negotiations. We have to engage Iran for peace in the Middle East but we must verify that the nuclear programme will be developed only for civilian purposes. In the future I see new cooperation on the Mediterranean side to stabilize an area that is going through dramatic changes. Last but not least the political cooperation inside the UN has always been very constructive.
- The Syrian issue remains one of the acutest topics in the international agenda. Moscow pointed out that Rome didn’t support the idea of a military operation in Syria without a UN resolution. What do you think about Russian activity on a settlement of the Syrian crisis? What can be a way out of the situation in the region?
- Russia together with the USA has played an essential role in starting dismantling the Chemical Weapons in Syria. This has been a great achievement for the international community. Now we need a step forward to stop the civil war. Russia is doing much, together with other important actors of the area, UN and the USA, for putting together a puzzle for Geneva 2 . The opposition is very fragmented and the big challenge is to have all the representatives of Syrian society sit down at the table together.
- Can Italy, which will take presidency in the EU, next year help Russia to simplify the visa regime with the EU countries to boost trade turnover with the European Union?
- Russia and the EU have both a huge interest in keeping the dialogue open, avoiding confrontation and finding a common language on the energy issues. I believe Russia is part of Europe and we need to reach a compromise on the major issues that now are on the table. We must keep an open channel and Italy is playing an important role to make the EU partners think about the future of the whole Continent as a global player.
- What is importance of TAP for Italy, which should transfer Azerbaijani gas to Italy? What do you think about cooperation between Italy and Azerbaijani in the energetic sphere?
- Essential cooperation to diversify the sources of gas and having a big impact on the Adriatic area in terms of Energy safety.
- Turkey has been trying to become a full member of the EU for many years; but today top circles of Turkey are disappointed about integration with the European countries. What is the Italian position on ties between Turkey and the EU?
- We have always supported Ankara’s path toward Europe. Some partners have decided to stop the process of integration toward Turkey but now I see new positive signs and the possible opening of new chapters in the dialogue between EU and Turkey. The Turkish leaders still recognize that the EU plays an important role but they have been disappointed. That does not mean that they have given up. In my opinion Turkey is an essential player on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and elsewhere. We have to come to terms with this.
