Italy commits to cooperation with AU in advancing Africa's development agenda

ADDIS ABABA, March 16 (Xinhua) - - Italy has reiterated its commitment to working closely with the African Union (AU) to help advance its development agenda inscribed in the Africa Agenda 2063.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, has lauded the relationship between Africa and Italy during her talks late Tuesday with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the AU Headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

The Italian President has been in the East African country for a five-day official visit beginning on March 13.

During his visit to the AU Headquarters, Mattarella has held discussion with the AU Commission Chairperson and other senior officials of the pan-African bloc on ways of bolstering bilateral cooperation and partnership between Italy and AU, according to an AU statement on Wednesday.

"The visit is another concrete step to broaden and deepen the relationship between the AU and Italy," Zuma said.

She said Italy could play an important role in contributing to the transformation of Africa's economy in different areas such as job creation, agriculture and agro-processing, skills development, renewable energy, women empowerment and fight against child marriages, infrastructure, peace and security and migration.

The areas are within Africa's Agenda 2063, which the Chairperson said encompasses everything in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN).

President Mattarella reiterated his country's commitment to working closely with the AU to help advance the development agenda of the continent inscribed in the Africa Agenda 2063.

While recognizing the importance of standing with the Government of National Accord as Libya's sole legitimate Government, the two sides expressed their full support for a stronger role of AU that recently appointed former President Jakaya Kikwete as Special Envoy on Libya. Endit