The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni al G20 di New Delhi declared that Italy-China relations should not be limited to just one Belt and Road Initiative (BIS). The final decision on leaving the BRI, the Italian Prime Minister specified, has yet to be taken (by December 2023).
In Italian newspapers, however, there was talk of leaving the BRI as a done deal but also of the need to revitalize the strategic partnership agreement with China, signed in 2004, aimed at promoting economic cooperation between the two countries.
Meloni mentioned, in fact, the 20th anniversary, next year, of a Global Strategic Partnership signed by China and the government led by Silvio Berlusconi in 2004.
Italy is the only G7 nation to have joined the BRI (government of 2019), the Chinese global plan involving trade and infrastructure, designed on the ancient Silk Road which connected imperial China to the West.
Italy, which will hold the presidency of the G7 in 2024, intends to review the relationship with Beijing to convince allies on the Italian Western line but also to confirm its interest in wanting to implement Italy-China trade exchange outside the BRI.
"There are European nations that have not been part of the BRI in recent years, but have been able to forge more favorable relations with China than we have been able to do"Said Melons in a press conference at the end of the G20 summit.
Meloni met the Chinese prime minister li qiang on the sidelines of the G20 on Saturday and described the talks as courteous and constructive.
"The question is how to ensure a partnership that is beneficial to both sides, leaving aside the decision we will make on the BRI", he added.
Meloni said that the Chinese have renewed her invitation to visit Beijing, but that no date has yet been set. The Italian government was also invited to participate in a BRI forum that China will host next October.
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