Italy-Algeria, Meloni: 'More than 40 agreements signed, joint Unesco candidature on St Augustine sites'

"We want to celebrate the ties" between Italy and Algeria "with a project that we both care a lot about: enhancing the Algerian and Italian places of St. Augustine's life, also with a joint candidacy in the Unesco forum," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in joint statements with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, at the fifth intergovernmental summit between the two countries. "It is a project," she added, "that we are keen to work on with great care, not only for what it represents for our nations but also for its symbolic value, if we think, among other things, that today the first Augustinian pope in the history of the Church sits on the papal throne".

"A total of around 40 agreements between our two nations and our production systems will be signed today. We are very satisfied with this result, which is not just a numerical figure, but also tells of the many objectives that Italy and Algeria continue to share'. So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, at the conclusion of the summit with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at Villa Pamphilj

From agriculture to defence, passing through the fight against terrorism to telecommunications and cinema, Italy and Algeria have signed a series of strategic agreements to strengthen their partnership, on the occasion of the fifth Italy-Algeria intergovernmental summit and business forum being held in Rome. Among the agreements signed, one memorandum concerns the creation in Algeria of an 'Enrico Mattei' centre for training, research and innovation in the agricultural field. This includes another memorandum for cooperation in agriculture, fishing and food processing between the Parties through the development of key sectors and the sharing of skills and technologies. And another more specific agreement aims to promote bilateral cooperation in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and related activities. With regard to the fight against terrorism, Italy and Algeria have signed an agreement that aims to promote cooperation in this area, combating these crimes and their financing through the exchange of experience and expertise. A joint declaration also aims to strengthen cooperation actions in the areas covered by the Defence Agreement signed between the two countries on 15 May 2003.

Among the other agreements signed, a film co-production agreement aims to foster cooperation in the sector and the production of works that contribute to the development of cultural and commercial relations between the two countries. An agreement was also signed on the mutual recognition of driving licences for the purpose of conversion. Other memoranda relate to cooperation in the field of post and telecommunications, including the digitisation of services; cooperation in public rescue and fire fighting and prevention; and the protection, support and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities. An executive programme on scientific and technical cooperation for the management and enhancement of the archaeological heritage was also signed, together with an operational plan to improve the coordination of search and rescue operations at sea, within the Sar areas of respective responsibility.

Invitalia and Aapi, the Algerian investment promotion agency, have signed a memorandum that aims to develop cooperation between the parties in the fields of investment promotion and partnership support. In particular, the two agencies will work together to facilitate the identification of investment projects, accompany and support economic operators interested in investing in the partner country, and identify new projects to be implemented in partnership in the two countries. The agreement was signed in the context of the Italy-Algeria summit by Bernardo Mattarella, CEO of Invitalia, and Omar Rekkache, Director General of Aapi, and also provides for collaboration in the joint organisation of meetings, seminars, company visits and trade missions to promote investment and partnership opportunities in Algeria and Italy. "The signed Protocol strengthens the collaboration with a strategic partner and offers new opportunities to companies that want to invest in Italy and Algeria," commented Bernardo Mattarella, CEO of Invitalia. "This is an important opportunity to support businesses and promote economic growth in both countries, especially in sectors that are key to development.