Italy wants to broaden its cooperation with "key partner" Israel, extending current medical, scientific and economic collaboration to a raft of other areas such as robotics and aerospace, Italy's premier Mario Draghi said on Tuesday in Jerusalem.
"Israel represents for Italy a friendly country, a fundamental partner. Our relationships are close and have strengthened further in recent years in the health, economic and commercial fields," said Draghi.
Draghi was speaking at a joint press briefing after talks with Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett.
"Since the beginning of the (Coronavirus) pandemic our governments have continuously exchanged information to improve our vaccination and infection containment strategies," Draghi stated.
Italy wants its current collaboration with Israel in medical and scientific research to continue and to extend to many other fields, Draghi said.
"We want to further strengthen our cooperation, especially in the more innovative sectors, such as robotics, sustainable mobility, aerospace and technology applied to agriculture," said Draghi.
Despite COVID-19, trade with Israel increased in 2021 and the current trend looks set to continue this year, Draghi noted.
Bennett said Italy and Israel will hold an intergovernmental summit - the first in 10 years - amid "improved relations".
Israel is ready to "do whatever it takes" to further strengthen its ties with Italy, Bennett stated, reprising Draghi's famous remarks while European Central Bank president during the euro crisis.
Draghi held talks with Bennett during a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestian territories through Tuesday.