Il Mattei plan “it can count on 5,5 billion euros between credits, gift operations and guarantees: around 3 billion from the Italian climate fund and 2,5 billion and a half from the development cooperation fund”. Thus the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni opening the work of the Italy-Africa summit today in the Senate.
Mattarella and the Mattei Plan
“Together we go far”: so yesterday evening, quoting an African proverb, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella opened at the Quirinale the Italy-Africa summit organized by the government.
"A African proverb of great wisdom recites: 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with someone.' In order for ours to be a common path towards the objectives of well-being and peace in Africa, Europe and the world, we must jointly put our respective wills into play." And again: “The understanding and the hope are
those of being able to create, after the intense dialogue started in recent years with the Italy-Africa ministerial conferences, an even stronger and more structured relationship between the African continent and our country".
Welcoming the 68 guests of the evening, together with the Prime Minister Giorgia meloni and the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the president then underlined how a well-structured relationship is preferably used for collaboration between Italy and Africa.
“The intention and hope are to be able to achieve, after the intense dialogue started in recent years with the Italy-Africa ministerial conferences, a even stronger and more structured relationship between the African continent and our country. Over the years of my mandate, I have had the opportunity to constantly appreciate the reality of a dynamic and enterprising continent, with multiple and profound cultural characteristics, inhabited by young women and men who look to the future with confidence. Your presence here this evening - numerous and qualified - gives concrete expression to the firm and sincere friendship that unites our peoples: the Italian Republic is grateful to you" said the Head of State during the toast at the Quirinale.
The Italy-Africa summit will be the occasion for the presentation of general principles of the Mattei Plan and its methodology. The Italian government is working on this plan, characterized by a "global" and "non-predatory" approach, as underlined by the Prime Minister. An essential part of its realization will be the sharing and collaboration with African states, both in the development phases and in the definition and implementation phase of the projects that compose it.
Meloni: “We want to present the Mattei Plan”
Before the start of the summit, Prime Minister Meloni spoke to the microphones of Tg1. “The goal is present to African countries our vision, at the basis of Mattei plan, means a new approach, not predatory, not paternalistic but not even charitable, an equal-to-equal approach to grow together”. These are the words of the prime minister. “We have established subjects to work on and pilot countries in which start the first projects and then we want to dialogue with everyone else" added the prime minister. "THE The advantages for Italy are countless, everything that happens in Africa affects us, for us adequate development of the African continent is fundamental", concluded Meloni.
And on migrants, “the European approach has changed completely on the migratory issue: when we arrived we only talked about how to redistribute irregular migrants, today we only talk about how to defend external borders, and this is to our credit. I think it is the approach started with Tunisia is correct, we are starting to see the first results but it is a huge job that must be done day by day, and we must not give up. What we did in Tunisia must be replicated with other nations and we are working on it" said the Prime Minister.
Italy-Africa: who participates in the summit
Today's summit is the first elevated to top status of heads of state and government, unlike previous meetings which had always taken place at ministerial level. They will participate 25 heads of state and government, 11 Foreign Ministers, representatives of theAfrican Union and various United Nations organizations, as well as European leaders such as the President of Parliament Robert Metsol, the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen: it is the sign of an increasingly solid axis between the president of the European Commission and Meloni, who have developed a certain feeling especially on dossiers linked to immigration and cooperation with African countries.
Missing among the participants is Nigeria, Africa's largest state, which plays a crucial role especially in the western area, currently afflicted by chaos in Niger.
The program of the day
Today will be intense with five work sessions. The summit will begin with the ritual photo and institutional greeting from the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa. The plenary session will see speeches from various leaders, including Prime Minister Meloni, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tajani, the President of the African Union Assoumani, the President of the African Union Commission Faki, the President of the European Parliament Metsola, the President of the European Council Michel, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Mohammed.
La first session of work will address 'Cooperation in the economic and infrastructural field' with introductory speeches by Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister and minister of Infrastructure and Transport, the head of Economy Giorgetti and the minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Urso. There second session it will concern 'Food Security' with speeches by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Tajani and the minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida.
La third it will be focused on 'Security and energy transition' with the participation of the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin. There fourth it will deal with 'Professional training and culture' with interventions by the Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano.
Finally, thelast session will focus on 'Migration, mobility and security issues' with speeches by the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, and the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto.
At the end of the day a final press conference is scheduled.
