(ANSA) - TRIESTE - Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will involve its diplomatic network, specifically in Central and Eastern Europe, to promote and support the EuroScience Open Forum ''Esof 2020'' in Trieste, told ANSA on Thursday Stefano Fantoni, chairman of the event's steering committee, who met at the CEI headquarters the director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabetta Belloni.

''The ministry is willing - said Fantoni - to encourage meetings with embassies, especially in the neighbouring countries, such as Slovenia and Croatia, in order to present Esof 2020. We primarily asked for support with regard to an issue that is close to our hearts, namely 'scientific immigrations' from abroad to this region and the Trieste research network. Finally, we will participate with the MAECI in the handover that will take place on July 14th in Toulouse, the current European Capital of Science''.

Our common effort includes ''CEI, which plays an important role serving as an intermediary - said Fantoni - even in the framework of co-operation with the various scientific institutions, which attended the meeting with director Belloni.

We have shown - he added - how compact the Trieste research network is and how effective is the governance that keeps it united''. (ANSA).