Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his government would reassess the possibility of continuing participation in China’s Silk Road, or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Italy may withdraw from the project because it did not bring significant economic or trade benefits to Italy, he said in a televised interview.
Meanwhile, Tajani affirmed Italy’s keenness on maintaining strong economic relations with China, saying that Rome is interested in the Chinese market and will see the best way to keep good relations with Beijing.
Italy seeks to maintain maritime security and free navigation across the Indian and Pacific oceans while keeping the status quo in Taiwan, he made clear.
Yesterday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told reporters following her meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington that her government will make a final decision on the BRI in December, 2023.
She noted that it is possible for Italy to keep strong ties with China without this initiative.
On March 23, 2019, the then Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a memorandum of understanding on Italy’s joining the gigantic project for four years. In so-doing, Italy became the first member of the G7 to join the BRI despite US opposition.
Source: Kuwait News Agency