Italy as a bridge between the North and South of the world, round table in the Senate on the Mattei Plan

Telling thefuture of Italy come bridge between the North and the South of the worldthread that connects the East and the West, a point of reference at the center ofMediterraneanthrough a reflection on ‘Mattei Plan‘. Government representatives, executives of large Italian companies and political personalities discussed it in the Sala Zuccari of the Senate, on the initiative of the president of the Foreign and Defense Commission of Palazzo Madama. In the name ofEnrico Matteifounder ofEniwhich gives its name to the Plan wanted by the executive, to act as an imaginary Cicero, a compass to indicate the coordinates of the debate. And it was precisely with a clip from the 1972 film ‘the Mattei case’ that the discussion began. With therole of Italy in the time of chaosand the West and Europe’s relationship with Africa.

“Mattei not only does not liquidate Agip but makes it the basis for the Eni project, which he founded in 1953, but creates a new model and establishes a different relationship with the countries that were then called ‘Third World’, developing countries as it was later said, and essentially recognizes greater economic participation in the producing countries. He senses that it was necessary to create apartnership. The Mattei plan was called this because it gives an idea of ​​partnership, collaboration and Italy has taken charge of this project”, explained Gasparri, introducing the round table, moderated by the director of AGI, Rita Lofano.

The Forza Italia exponent spoke of ‘Mattei Plan‘ as of “oneItalian and Western challenge“. Italy’s relationship with its African “neighbor” must not be based on a “predatory, but not even paternalistic” approach, as recalled by the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini. And, therefore, being thereAfricail Young continentwho will help write thefuture of the Planet“not to allocate resources and promote models that have worked for us, but to dointegration“, Bernini underlined again. In short, “what happens in Africa does not only concern Africa, but all of us”. And it is not just a question of the proverbial flapping of the butterfly’s wings which can have repercussions on the opposite side of the globe, but ofinitiatives, projects, economic and cultural integration. A scenario in which Italy, a peaceful aircraft carrier located right in the middle of theOur Sea‘, has “the task of beingprotagonist of the Mediterranean“, observed Marco Minniti, president of the Med-Or Foundation. According to the former minister, who linked to the problems with supply difficulties due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, “to be protagonists you need to have astrategic autonomy“.

Which, however, “does not mean being enemies of the United States”. Indeed, Europe is called “to represent a point of view that can be a point of balance and help compared to the United States’ own initiatives”, to “offer theSouth of the World a perspective“. To be natural interlocutors – Minniti invited – “of the South of the World” and the Middle East, not to be left to China or the United States alone. Between the past, the present and the future, therefore, “as Enrico Mattei knew perfectly well, the moment in which there is a crucial passage in history must be grasped to the end”. And in order not to be found unprepared, in the face of the upheavals of a history that has started to move forward again, the contribution of thelarge Italian companies.

The contribution of companies and the ministry

From the reflections ofLapo Pistellidirector of Public Affairs ofEnia Giulia Genuardipresident ofEnel Foundation. Pistelli explained that “either we take care of theAfricaor is Africa taking care of us”, starting from the memory of the figure ofEnrico Matteiand underlining how “the connection, the relationship, between us and Africa, even before being dictated by politics, is dictated bygeography“. Genuardi placed the emphasis ondonnewho “can also be actresses ofenergy transitionand if we don’t make them aware of this, we probably lose half of themopportunitythat we can have, not only for Africa but for us in the future.”

And, therefore, “the merit ofMattei Planit’s what makes us do itsystemeach of us adds a piece and we are creating thefuture of Italy and Africa“. On thetraininghe focusedPietro CumCEO ofElis. Who spoke of the sector as one that can give “apossibility of having professional trainingwhich is the element that makes the difference, and transmitskills and experiences” because “this enables countries to be on equal terms”. To list some of theinitiatives of the Mattei Plan è stato Massimo Riccardospecial correspondent for the Plan ofForeign Minister.

“The role of the ministry is tostrategic levelidentifies with its institutional role”, thanks to the network of “embassies, consulates and cultural institutes” While, from an operational point of view, “theFarnesinais promotinginitiatives to facilitate team playcreating opportunities fordialogueproposing thecoordination on the ground“. Between Africa, Italy, Europe.