The G7 summit in Taormina in May
should send a "strong and clear signal on the importance of
international trade and commerce against all temptations towards
protectionist closure," Premier Paolo Gentiloni said after talks
with Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe in Rome Tuesday.
Dialogue with Russia should "take steps forward" alongside
sanctions, Gentiloni said.
Abe said that Rome deserved "respect" for organising a
special EU summit marking the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of
Rome on March 25.
Gentiloni, for his part, said he hoped a free-trade accord
between the EU and Japan would soon be drafted.
Italy is aiming to boost its trade with Japan that currently
stands at nine billion euros a year, Gentiloni said.
Abe, for his part, said that negotiations on defence
technologies had started between the two countries.
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