well-being it can not look only to the east, but must also direct investments and resources to the South," said Enrico Rossi, who was interviewed by Agiarab.com after returning from a three-day visit to Tunisia and Algeria.
Rossi received several requests from both countries to strengthen ties with Italy. "These countries offer investment opportunities, they are trying to defeat terrorism and they also offer opportunities for well-being," said the governor.
The countries already have ties with Italy, which all parties take advantage of, said Rossi. He cited as an example the rescue of the Italian Piombino steelworks by the Algerian Cevital Group. Rossi continued: "I have received a request from Tunisia's Minister of Culture to transfer several Tunisian pre-Muslim artworks held in storage at the Uffizi Gallery to Tunisia", in response to cultural terrorism. "I am in favour, as is the director of Uffizi, who has received the same request. I expect the ministry to give it the green light." Italians and Tuscans, the governor added, "should be proud of their identity and culture, but at the same time should engage in dialogue and discussion with others. I want to spend five years building relations with Africa and the Middle East". (AGI)