EU gives blessing to Mattei Plan, says 'fits our vision'

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 28 - The European Commission (EC) said Sunday it "welcomes" Italy's so-called Mattei Plan to create a new strategic partnership with African countries and address the root causes of irregular migration and beat smuggling gangs, ahead of the opening of the Italy-Africa summit in Rome on Monday.
    A spokeswoman said the plan "fits well with the joint vision for 2030 to which EU and African Union leaders have committed" and with "the Global Gateway to Africa investment plan".
    "President von der Leyen will attend" the summit in Rome "and we expect positive discussions on how to take forward economic cooperation with African partners, which is a priority for both the EU and Africa," added the spokeswoman.
    Earlier in the day Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani said it is important to include the Mattei Plan in a broader European strategy.
    "The Mattei Plan will be discussed (at the Italy-Africa summit, ed.), but so also will all the sectors, from agriculture to the environment, where Italy and Africa can work together," Tajani told In Mezz'ora on Rai3.
    That fact that EU leaders will be there "shows how important it is to include the Mattei Plan in a European strategy," he added.
    Earlier this month parliament gave definitive backing to the Mattei Plan, named after late Eni founder Enrico Mattei, which also seeks to turn Italy into a sort of hub for energy supplies from Africa to Europe as the continent weans itself off Russian oil and gas supplies after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
    The seven-article decree-law establishes, among other things, a special steering committee, chaired by the Prime Minister and composed of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (vice-president), the other ministers, the president of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, government bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and foreign investment agency Sace.
    The Italy-Africa summit that opens in Rome on Monday had initially been organized for last October but it was postponed due to the crisis in the Middle East. (ANSA).