Italy and France can play a "decisive" role in determining Europe's future and will give its full support to France's upcoming presidency of the European Union Council - the bloc's decision-making body - foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Friday.
"France's EU (Council) presidency comes at a crucial time for the European project. Italy is ready to guarantee its full support," Di Maio told a bilateral economic forum.
"We are convinced that together, Italy and France can play a decisive role in creating 'the Europe of tomorrow'," Di Maio added.
Italy and France are committed to working together to create "an EU that can tackle the challenges of the 21st century," propel economic recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic and "put European citizens" at the centre of its priorities, Di Maio said.
France will take on the rotating EU Council presidency from January to June next year.
