Italy ambassador to Russia: ''Sanctions must have only a temporary character''
Pasquale Terracciano on Russian-Italian projects implemented in Tatarstan
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Russia Pasquale Terracciano visited Tatarstan against a background of the next wave of anti-Russian sanctions. The trip became the ambassador's first trade and economic visit outside Moscow. Pasquale Terracciano occupied the post of Italy ambassador to Russia just two months ago having previously worked as an ambassador in Great Britain for five years and head of diplomatic mission in Madrid. In Kazan, he met with the Tatarstan president, visited Kazan State Power Engineering University and head office of TAIF PJSC. Realnoe Vremya's correspondent managed to meet with the ambassador after visiting the office of the investment company and asked several questions about Russian-Italian projects implemented in Tatarstan.
Mr Ambassador, what projects were discussed during your meeting with President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov?
We are ready for an active work with enterprises of Tatarstan. Italian companies should choose right your republic to develop the concept Made with Italy. We want to create joint Russian-Italian companies. With Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov we discussed a project of biodegradable plastic manufacturing factory, which TAIF Group of Companies together with Bio-On plans to carry out. The talk also was about an intention to create Small Italy residential microregion. The construction of the residential complex is linked to Italy's architectural tradition. We also discussed the project that will be carried out in Nizhnekamsk together with one of the biggest Italian companies Maire Tecnimont. A joint project with another important company from Milan Vomm was also mentioned. It treats municipal waters.
Do you think Italian companies will be interested in participating in the project Small Italy?
I think it's better to ask the very authors of the project about it.
At the meeting with officials of TAIF PJSC, you claimed that Italian companies were ready to implement their know-how in Tatarstan. What technologies did you mean?
We can share the technologies that will be in demand in the gas and oil sector as well as in agriculture, renewables, especially wind generation.
Did you discuss a specific project that is planned to be carried out in Tatarstan?
Of course, it's a project with Italian Vomm. They cooperate with Kazan State Power Engineering University.
When do you plan to carry out the project?
We wait for a decision of the Tatarstan government to launch international tender.
Is the volume of investments known?
No, we don't have the information.
Sanctions against Russia has been tightened again. We would like to hear your opinion, how do you evaluate the current situation and further possibilities to develop investment projects in Russia?
We think the sanction status must have only a temporary character. Sanctions were imposed to solve the situation that arose in Ukraine. This is why we think they shouldn't be permanent. They are used as a tool to achieve a certain result, and I hope it will be possible to reduce them.
In this respect, we work on cancellation of sanctions against Russian small and medium-sized business by the EU Commission. We firmly intend to correct the mistakes that were made. Particularly, I mean the mistakes made when investments for Russian small and medium-sized business were frozen by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In my opinion, it was a big mistake.
Dossier
- Born in Naples, 4 May 1956
- 1978 Law Degree, University of Naples
- 1981 Enters Italian Diplomatic Service
- 1982 Second Secretary, Human Resources Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- 1985 Consul at Consulate General, Rio de Janeiro
- 1989 First Secretary later Counsellor, Italian Permanent Representation to NATO, Brussels
- 1993 Counsellor, Economic Affairs Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- 1995 Counsellor, Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
- 1996 Counsellor, First Counsellor (1998), Italian Embassy, London and Alternate Executive Director for Italy at EBRD
- 2000 First Counsellor, Italian Permanent Representation to the Atlantic Council, Brussels
- 2001 Deputy Head of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
- 2004 Head of Information and Press Office and Spokesman for the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
- 2006 Ambassador to Madrid, also accredited to Andorra
- 2010 Chef of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
- 2011 Diplomatic Adviser to the Italian Prime Minister and Prime Minister's G8 and G20 Sherpa Representative
- 2013 Ambassador of Italy in London (Great Britain)
- 2018 Ambassador of Italy in Moscow (Russian Federation)
- Ambassador Terracciano is married to Karen Lawrence and has two sons and a daughter
Reference
Reference
According to the Customs Administration in Volga Federal District, last year, commodity turnover between Tatarstan and Italy grew considerably – by 23,4% to $323,3 million. Exports from Tatarstan reached a volume of $164,6 million, imports from Italy to the republic are equal to $158,6 million. From January to February 2018, commodity turnover between Tatarstan and Italy accounted for about $20,6 million against $17,2 million for last year's analogous period. Equipment and machinery still account for the main turnover. Plastics, rubber are on the second place.
In 2017, 154 countries were major trade partners of the Republic of Tatarstan. Export transactions were carried out with 127 countries, imports – with 115. The share of Italy's export in comparison with other countries totalled 1,3%, import is 4,1%.
Tatarstan