Time ripe for Italo-German strategic partnership - Di Maio

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 10 - The time is ripe for a strategic partnership between Italy and Germany, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told a joint press conference with German counterpart Annalena Baerbock Monday.
    Di Maio said "we have started working on enhanced cooperation" between Rome and Berlin.
    Last month Di Maio said Italy is working with Germany on enhanced bilateral cooperation, stressing that Rome's recent landmark accord boosting ties with France was not aimed at excluding others.
    "We are working on a plan of action to boost bilateral relations with Berlin," Di Maio told the parliamentary foreign affairs committees on December 9.
    The Quirinal Treaty (with France) can certainly not be interpreted as aimed at excluding anyone. We are inclusive. And we will remain so. For this reason Italy has for some time been working to boost cooperation with other important European countries like Germany too".
    Italo-German contacts have been ongoing at a technical level for several months, said the minister.
    The November 26 Quirinal Treaty, modelled on a historic Franco-German treaty, "will promote the convergence of French and Italian positions, as well as the coordination of the two countries in matters of European and foreign policy, security and defence, migration policy, economy, education, research, culture and cross-border cooperation", according to the text of the pact.
    According to both governments, the treaty was the beginning of a new convergence between the two nations in the leadership and advance of the European Union.
    Some observers saw the pact as a sign of Italy and France aiming to play a greater joint role in the EU. (ANSA).