The Arabian Peninsula is crucial to China's multi-trillion-dollar project to build a vast network of trade routes across the globe, Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday during a visit to the United Arab Emirates.
"The region is an important nexus for the new Silk Road that will progressively link the Asian Continent to the Mediterranean and Continental Europe, contributing to their development and cultural integration," Di Maio, referring to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The minister was speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate Italy's pavilion at the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai trade fair which kicks off in October.
Di Maio praised the UAE for its achievements, noting its similarities with Italy in its approach to innovation.
"The UAE has followed a consistent path of social and economic development to attain major goals," he stated.
"Italy and the UAE share common interests and the same attention to blending tradition with innovation."
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