Italy to be Iran’s main EU trade partner in 2013

The President of Italy-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for the expansion of economic relations between the two countries, saying that Rome will be Tehran’s main European trade partner for the year 2013.

During a meeting with a group of Iranian businessmen in Rome on Tuesday, Rosario Alessandro said Italy is prepared to increase the level of its business interactions with the Islamic Republic.

Sandro Pettinato, the deputy head of Italy-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also described Iran as a thriving and lucrative market for Italian industrialists.

In a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Iran Luca Giansanti on January 15, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Iran is a reliable trade partner for Italy and other European countries.

“Iran and Italy are two very important countries that have long-standing cultural relations and numerous commonalities,” Salehi said.

Giansanti described Iran as a key country in terms of strategic, regional and energy status.

Referring to the mutual cooperation and the considerable trade volume between Iran and Italy, the Italian ambassador expressed hope that bilateral ties would be expanded in the future.