Premier Matteo Renzi
said Friday that Italy is working to restore relations between
the EU and Russia that were badly damaged by the Ukraine crisis.
"We are working to build bridges," Renzi said in St
Petersburg.
"This is Italy's objective. Italy thinks dialogue is
needed, not closure.
"That's why today is important because we think that the
reasons that bring us together and more than the ones that
divide us".
Renzi was speaking during a visit to a worksite of
Italian firm Astaldi in the Russian city after having a private
visit to the Hermitage museum.
The premier is set to address the St Petersburg Business
Forum later on Friday and have a meeting with Russian President
Vladimir Putin.
Renzi said that the Italian delegation he is leading will
have signed deals worth over a billion euros by the end of the
day.
"Today we will sign agreements for over one billion
euros," he said.
"Legitimate agreements within the framework on the
sanctions (imposed on Russia over the Ukraine crisis) because we
respect the rules".
The deals between Italian and Russian firms will be signed
in the presence of Putin.
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