Islamabad: In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, the maiden meeting of the Pakistan-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group was held at the Parliament House in Islamabad, chaired by Ms. Shazia Marri, MNA/Convener of the group. The session, which took place on September 25, 2024, was attended by high-ranking officials and ambassadors from both countries, focusing on enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation, as well as addressing issues such as visa processing times for students.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the meeting included distinguished attendees such as the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, H.E. Marilina Armellin, and the Ambassador of Pakistan to Italy. Discussions ranged from economic growth projects for rural development to cultural exchanges and youth development programs. Ms. Marri highlighted the need for streamlined visa processes for Pakistani students and emphasized the importance of people-to-people linkages.
H.E. Marilina Armellin reiterated Italy’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in priority sectors and mentioned Italy’s flagship initiative to build a multi-professional olive and olive oil industry in Pakistan. This initiative aims to enhance production and improve food security through technical assistance and the training of relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the Italian Ambassador discussed efforts to develop cosmetic products based on olive oil for rural women in Baluchistan and mentioned the ongoing supply of equipment for the olive oil extraction and dairy sectors.
The meeting also addressed the need to finalize pending Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Agreements, including a visa abolition agreement for diplomatic passports, which would facilitate more frequent interactions between officials of the two countries. Ms. Marri called for enhanced parliamentary linkages, youth engagement programs, and sports diplomacy to strengthen the ties between Pakistan and Italy.
The session concluded with a mutual reaffirmation of the commitment to not only continue but also deepen the cooperation between the two nations across multiple sectors.