In a recent interview on Paraguay TV’s Tribuna program, the Italian ambassador to Paraguay, Marcello Fondi, shared his perspective on the state of bilateral relations between the two countries. Fondi, who has been in the country for a year and a half, highlighted the progress in various sectors and the opportunities for future cooperation between Italy and Paraguay.
“Bilateral relations are very good,” said the ambassador, who recalled that Italy has maintained diplomatic ties with Paraguay since 1865, consolidating a long history of friendship based on economic and cultural links. In the cultural field, he noted that there is a growing interest in the Italian language, which has been one of the most satisfactory points in the relationship between the two countries.
However, the diplomat stressed that the economic sphere still has room for growth. “Italy is only Paraguay’s 15th partner in terms of trade relations, and we want to go up, increase that,” he said, referring to the need to increase trade between the two nations. In addition, Fondi underlined Italy’s interest in sectors such as agriculture and high technology, highlighting a joint project involving the launch of nanosatellites, where Italy seeks to collaborate in Paraguay’s technological development.
One of the most important bets, according to the ambassador, is to promote the Italian model of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which has been key to the industrial development of Italy. Fondi expressed his confidence that this model could also be very useful for the productive fabric of Paraguay. “I am sure that it will also be of interest to the productive fabric of Paraguay,” he commented.
The ambassador also announced that a delegation headed by the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Maria Tripodi, will visit Asunción next week to meet with Paraguayan authorities and advance bilateral cooperation projects.
Regarding cultural relations, Fondi said there has been an increase in the demand from Paraguayans interested in travelling to Italy, which reflects the strengthening of ties between the two countries.
Ambassador Fondi concluded that, despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic, the prospects for cooperation between Paraguay and Italy are very positive, and relations are expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
