Interfax's Interview

Mr. Prodi, do you agree with the opinion that Russian-Italian relations have risen to an unprecedented level in recent years? How will these relations be perfected?

 Italy and Russia are strategic partners. We are bound by political, economic and cultural ties. There is always space for enhancing and improving our relations. Constant dialogue is the way to achieve this, bilaterally and within European Union and United Nations frameworks. I will meet with President Putin in Sochi soon. In December, Moscow hosted the Russian-Italian Council of Economic Cooperation. Next March, Italy will host a bilateral Summit in Bari. This intense activity at the highest level creates the perfect conditions to consolidate our already strong relationship, building on new opportunities and offering fresh perspectives.

 Is Italy interested in expanding its energy dialogue with Russia? What would you say about the idea of applying the model of Russian-Italian cooperation in the energy sector to the European Union as a whole? What are the prospects for energy relations between Rome and Moscow following the agreement between ENI and Gazprom?

 Energy is a key issue in international relations. The supply and demand of energy must be secure, sustainable and dependable in the Third Millennium. The agreement between Eni and Gazprom is a move in this direction. Reciprocity of access, both upstream and downstream, is part of the deal. Due to this approach, it is already becoming a model for other EU companies.  The long-term duration of contracts is another element promoting market confidence and sustainable partnerships.

 Why do you think energy issues have become a stumbling block in relations between Russia and the European Union?

 Energy directly affects domestic economies, EU consumers and national security. This is why it remains a sensitive issue. The key to making it function in EU-Russia relations is, I believe, interdependence. Supply and demand are two sides of the same coin. They are supposed to link, not to divide. Reciprocity of access and transparency should be the base of this policy that, in the long run, will benefit all concerned, both Russia and EU Member States. Integration is the correct path to take, not only within the EU, but also between EU and Russian companies, both upstream and downstream. Italy believes that the EU should speak with a single voice and it is engaged in work to achieve this goal. Russia should be prepared to speak to Europe as one whole. Negotiating between blocs ensures benefits for all in the long run.

 A Russian project to create industrial districts was recently implemented in Russia. It helped draw Italian investment into the Russian economy. How would you assess this project? Are any new initiatives planned within its framework?

 Italy is willing to share its model for small and medium enterprises with Russia. A Task Force for the promotion and development of industrial districts is already in place. An action plan for 2007-2009 was signed in Trieste this year and encouraging results have already been recorded in several Russian regions, for example in Moscow and Lipetsk, and in Tatarstan. Fresh opportunities are also arising in the Voronezh, Vladimir, Novosibirsk, and Penza regions and in Kransnodar territory. Italian regions are also very interested in Russian Special Economic Zones, where a privileged fiscal and custom system would undoubtedly speed up Italian investment.

 Do you see opportunities for stronger Russian integration within European political and economic infrastructures?

 Russia is part of European history. Its music, literature, and arts are integral to the European cultural genome. The EU and Russia are, and will remain to be, strong partners. However, we need to take more steps to further enhance our relationship. We have already agreed to build the four Common Spaces of EU-Russia cooperation. These are the Common Economic Space, the Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice, the Common Space of Cooperation in External Security, and the Common Space of Research, Education and Culture. Now is the time to act and implement these guidelines to bring Russia and the EU even closer together.

 What are the prospects for the signing of a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Russia? What kind of document should it be?

 There are still some divisions to overcome in Europe, but there is also an awareness that we need to act together to renew the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which expired at the end of 2006. The new agreement should be comprehensive in its cope and include strategic issues such as energy. It should be based on the Common Spaces. Italy, as a sincere friend of the Russian Federation, will play its role in helping Moscow and Brussels achieve this goal. Reaching a deal with a bloc which represents 485 million people and 27 countries is also in the interests of Russia.

 Italy has  withdrawn its troops from Iraq. Do you think the military operation in Iraq was a mistake from the start?

 Italy has already withdrawn its troops from Iraq, in full cooperation and agreement with the Iraqi Government and the coalition. It was a commitment that we could not ignore. However, this does not mean that our humanitarian and civil efforts to help the Iraqis restore their democratic life will cease.
 In reference to the war, I still believe that political dialogue and effective multilateral processes are better instruments to address present-day global challenges. Italy will push this line during its membership of the UN Security Council during the next two years, and it will do so in full consultation with its EU partners.

 Italy was one of the first countries to relax the visa regime with Russia. Is Italy prepared to liberalize visa regulations with Russia further within the European Union and to ultimately move to a visa-free regime?

 It is correct that Italy was among the first European countries to implement a bilateral visa facilitation scheme with Russia, utilizing the entire scope of flexibility envisioned under the Schengen Agreement. This clearly reflects Italy’s will of to move toward a visa-free regime with the Russian Federation. This would be an extraordinary achievement. In the meantime, the visa facilitation and readmission agreements finalized by Russia and the EU in 2006, can be regarded as significant steps in this direction. 

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