Italy has "excellent" ties with New Zealand and as G20 and APEC presidents respectively this year can work towards common goals, deputy foreign minister Manlio Di Stefano said on Wednesday.
"The relations between Italy and New Zealand are excellent," Di Stefano told New Zealand Trade Minister Damian O'Connor in a videoconference.
"This is thanks in part to an Italian community that is very well integrated in the country and also to the shared values of multilateralism and the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda."
Italy hopes negotiations for an EU-New Zealand free trade agreement will be rapidly concluded and is concerned to protect its geographical indications for quality products, Di Stefano underlined.
"Also on opposite sides of the world, Italy and New Zealand share the same approach to international trade, which should be as open and fairly governed as possible," Di Stefano underlined.
Italy strongly believes in the reform of the World Trade Organisation, where it wants to incorporate the principles of sustainability and environmental protection, he said.
"Italy and New Zealand hold the G20 and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) presidencies respectively this year so that we can work jointly towards common goals," Di Stefano concluded.
