Foreign minister Luigi Di Maio on Thursday called for Europe to reopen its borders as it eases Covid-19 restrictions and said Italy's government is eager to re-start the country's coronavirus-ravaged tourism industry.
"The country has suffered the effects of this virus. Now, however, we just need to think about getting going again. And tourism will be key to kick-starting our economy and a lifeline for restaurants, hotels, shops, businesses and artisans," Di Maio wrote on social media.
The government is "working intensively to find the way forward and to bring foreign tourists back to Italy," the post continued.
"We must make the most of our beautiful assets which are unique in the world. Italy must get back on its feet as a united country and no region must be left behind," the post underlined.
Accords on reopening borders must be Europe-wide and not bilateral, Di Maio stated in an interview with local newspaper Il Corriere del Trentino on Thursday.
"We are firmly against bilateral agreements between states (on reopening borders) because this would be against the spirit of the European Union," Di Maio told Il Corriere del Trentino.
.jpg)
.jpg)
