The Ambassador of Italy to the Russian Federation Cesare Maria Ragaglini went on a mission to the Samara Region in recent days, visiting the cities of Samara, Togliatti and Oktyabrsk. The Region is now characterized by a dynamic and rapidly expanding business fabric, capable of attracting many foreign investments in recent years, especially in the automotive, chemical and food industries. During the meetings with the governor and the mayors of Samara and Togliatti, the foundations were laid for a further expansion of collaboration in the economic and cultural fields. The visit also provided an opportunity for two lectio magistralis on Italian-Russian relations held by the ambassador respectively at the most important University of the Region, the International Market Institute in Samara, and at the prestigious Orthodox Institute of Togliatti. “That between Italy and Russia is a deep and articulated bond. Italian entrepreneurs were among the very first, after the Second World War, to go to Russia, leading the way to the 400 Italian companies present today - said Ambassador Ragaglini to the audience made up of over three hundred students and professors. This happened especially in the Samara region where in 1966 Fiat opened the car factory that was able to power the then Soviet Union. During the visit, Ambassador Ragaglini also participated in the ceremony for the tenth anniversary of the Autocomponent Engineering-2 company (auto components company) owned by an Italian entrepreneur, in the presence of the mayors of the cities of Togliatti, Syzran, Oktyabris and a delegation from the Samara Region.
Samara it is located in the central eastern part of European Russia, known as the Volga Federal District, in the confluence of the Volga River and the Samara River. After the 2002 census, the population was found to be 1.157.880. Despite a past as a closed city, today Samara has become an important city, especially from a social, political, economic, industrial and cultural point of view, which led it to host a summit between the EU and Russia in May 2007.
The city is located on the left bank of the Volga River, which serves as its border to the western part. The northern border is bordered by the Sokol'i hills and the steppe in the east and south.
The life of the inhabitants of Samara has always been characterized by the presence of the Volga River, which has not only offered an intense commercial activity towards other cities in Russia, but has also played a fundamental role in tourism, thanks to the excellent glance offered by the place. The Samara River, in fact, is a favorite destination for both city dwellers and tourists. Samara is the industrial leader in the Volga area and is one of the ten Russian cities with the greatest profit and volume from its industries. It is also known for the production of aerospace vehicles, satellites and various space services, such as engines and cables, aircraft and aluminum; chemical and cryogenic products; oil and gas processing and extraction; electrical materials; aviation equipment; construction of cranes and various materials; chocolate; Rodnik vodka; Žiguli beer is a food and electrical industry.