The state visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Rome underscores the robust relationship Qatar shares with Italy, according to Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano.
Salzano said the Amir held meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, the speaker of the Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, and the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Roberto Fico.
“The visit of His Highness to Italy…further confirms the excellent relations between Italy and Qatar and our long-standing and sincere friendship,” Salzano said in a statement to Gulf Times.
The ambassador said: “The visit has been the occasion to further enhance our strategic partnership and to sign a number of memoranda of understanding in the fields of culture, youth and sport, health, agriculture and agro food industry, and research and innovation.
“These agreements prove that the traditional sectors of bilateral co-operation – such as defence, infrastructure, and trade – have greatly expanded, diversified, and deepened, paving the way to new forms of collaboration that can positively influence the life of our peoples.”
The ambassador also pointed out that education, culture, and common initiatives in the field of sport “can make the difference for the young generations.”
Focusing on all these aspects, according to Salzano, represents the adoption of a strategic perspective on the future of the relations between Italy and Qatar.
He noted that the exchange of expertise and best practices in all these fields will strengthen the shared values of openness and mutual respect, while ensuring stronger bonds of friendship.
Salzano added: “In this context, we are really proud to announce an agreement between the University La Sapienza and Qatar University, as well as an agreement between La Sapienza and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, both of them with the aim to promote exchange of faculty and staff members, to jointly implement research projects, share scientific information and publications, and encourage organisation of seminars and courses.
“Italy and Qatar also agree that health and agriculture/agro-food are key elements for the development of our countries, and are committed to increase their standards of protection and efficiency by strengthening technical, scientific, and productive cooperation by implementing joint studies, projects, and programmes, as well as exchanging information and best practices.”
