Friuli Venezia Giulia region strengthens ties with Iran

(AGI) Trieste, Jan. 14 - A mission by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region to Iran has created many opportunities for cooperation in various fields, ranging from economics to science and culture. It has also opened new possibilities for trade. The President of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Debora Serracchiani, presented the results of the mission. "Together with the Iranian Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Hossein Esfahbodi, Italy's Ambassador in the Iranian capital, Mauro Conciatori, and the CEO of Pordenone Fiere, Pietro Piccinetti, I officially opened the second edition of 'Contract Made in Italy', an important showcase of Italian productions, most notably furniture from Veneto. With the Vice-President of the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organisation, Mohammad Hassan Talebian, we have laid the foundations for an ambitious cultural project. This project will involve the movement of important archaeological finds from the National Museum of Tehran to Aquileia. With Research and Technology Deputy Minister Vahid Ahmadi we agreed on a transfer of knowledge, technology and industrial opportunities with the Iranian Pardis Technology Park, supported by the region and by the Department of Science and Technology of Iran. The project will strengthen scientific cooperation between research centres and institutions dedicated to technology transfer by Tehran and Friuli Venezia Giulia. Cooperation is already in progress, for example, with the universities of Trieste and Udine, with Sissa, ICTP and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). The collaboration is focused on a series of activities that will have an impact in the short and medium term on the business system of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Meetings took place with Iranian Shipping Lines and the Iranian government that were important for Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Port of Trieste. What should have been a first informal meeting turned into an open discussion about their strategies for integration with the market of Central and Eastern Europe. The commissioner of the Port Authority of Trieste, Zeno D'Agostino, has announced that PMO and the Port of Trieste may soon sign a memorandum of understanding for an exchange of experiences, best practices and expertise, also aimed at training managers of other Iranian ports. This is what we wanted from the start: establishing or reviving relations with a country that is opening its doors to the West. The results have shown that our region, especially when working closely together, is very dynamic and attractive. Unfortunately some have failed to look at the long term, closing their eyes to the strategic meaning of the trip. Let this be the final word about a useless controversy.". .