Populist premier Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday told Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz that Italy remains opposed to granting dual citizenship to the autonomous Alto Adige region's German and Ladin speakers.
"During the meeting with Austria's Chancellor Kurz I had the opportunity to express the government's clear position on the issue of passports and dual nationality," Conte said after talks with Kurz at the prime minister's office in Rome.
The issue of dual citizenship for German and Ladin speakers was "a challenge" which he had discussed with Conte during their talks, Kurz said at the joint press conference.
On the way to his meeting with Conte, Kurz said that Italy had no reason to "get upset" about the plan, which was supported by many people "in South Tyrol". But he underlined: "We have always made it clear that we will act in agreement with Rome".
Alto Adige/South Tyrol was part of Austria-Hungary but was annexed to Italy after World War I .