BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN ITALY AND TANZANIA

The Deputy Director-General and Central Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Giuseppe Mistretta, accompanied by Ambassador Marco Lombardi, held bilateral consultations with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in East Africa of Tanzania, Samwel W. Shelukindo, which took place in Dar es Salaam on September 15th of last year. Ambassador Swahiba H. Mndeme, Director-General for Europe and America, was also present at the meeting. This marked a significant moment in Italy’s efforts to enhance its bilateral relations with Tanzania. It is worth noting that more than ten years had passed since high-level consultations were held in Tanzania, and their resumption had been hoped for during a recent meeting in Rome between the Vice President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, and the then Foreign Minister of Tanzania, Stergomena L. Tax (June 9, 2023). The bilateral consultations, conducted in a spirit of utmost collaboration, covered the following topics: bilateral relations (political, economic, and development cooperation); regional and continental African framework; economic cooperation prospects; international and bilateral meetings and appointments (Italy-Africa Summit); and the promotion of Rome’s candidacy to host EXPO 2030. These bilateral consultations represented a concrete follow-up to the aforementioned meeting in Rome on June 9, 2023. There is no doubt about the interest of our Tanzanian friends in deepening bilateral relations with Italy. The process of revitalizing bilateral relations between Italy and Tanzania continues with the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Kassim Majaliwa, to Italy (October 16-20, 2023), which will include his participation in the Italy-Tanzania Business Forum in Milan on October 19, 2023.