TEHRAN (Iran News) – Tehran, Rome Eye Cooperation on Energy Transition, Environment. Italy and Iran are keen to expand their historical cooperation in some new fields like energy transition and environment which will cement their amicable ties.

On Monday afternoon, the Italian Embassy in Tehran hosted a bilateral seminar on energy transition and the environment. The event, held at the Italian residence, was organized in cooperation with the Italian Trade Agency and the European House Ambrosetti.

Addressing the event, Italy’s Ambassador Giuseppe Perrone said, “The challenges posed by sustainable development are of a truly global nature, and today’s seminar is an indication of Italy’s deep interest in environmental issues.” He went on to say, “We are convinced that only by establishing a positive agenda it is possible to foster confidence at the regional level and to tackle effectively and collectively pressing global challenges.”

Placed along an ideal itinerary going from Ambrosetti’s Cernobbio Forum and in anticipation of the 7th edition of the ROME MED DIALOGUES scheduled this coming December, the event brought together, in a hybrid format, partly online and partly in presence, representatives of Iran’s Presidency of the Republic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Energy, members of the private sectors from both countries, analysts from international think tanks and research centers. Over 600 Italian and Iranian companies have also followed the event online.

The event was held in two sections of economic and political that in each section some Iranian and Italian officials exchanged views and highlighted importance of such events in cementing ties between the two states.

In the political section, an official in Italy’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that the result of JCPOA talks is very important for many issues in the region and the world, adding that Iran and Italy have cooperated in many fields and they can expand it to the fields of clean energy and environment. He admitted that the fate of the JCPOA is very decisive in co-operation between the two states.

Then President of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) of Iran Seyed Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour, for his part, hailed the almost 60-year-old relation between Iran and Italy, and called it an asset for both states. He added both countries should take advantage of their assets for sustainability of their relation and cooperation between the think-tanks is very crucial for bilateral cooperation.

Then Iran’s envoy to Italy Hamid Bayat hailed Italy and Italian companies which continued their cooperation amid the U.S. sanction threats. He added Italy was the only EU country which earmarked a 5-billion-euro credit line to Iran after the JCPOA and it has been the only European states whose trade turnover with Iran was high.

He added that Italy can cooperate with Iran in transfer of technology which will reduce the production cost and waste of energy.

Then Director of the Institute for Global Studies in Rome Mr. Nicola Pedde, for his part, expressed hope the JCPOA talks would have a good outcome as both sides are willing to do so.

Then in the economic part of the event Italy’s minister for environmental transition Roberto Cingolani briefed the participants of some details of the recent G20 meeting and Italy’s objectives as co-President of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) as well as of the G-20 Group at the latest edition of the Cernobbio Forum. He reiterated the world cannot solve the climate and environment issue overnight but it can move towards it.

In the panel devoted to energy transition and the housing and construction sector, Italian and Iranian speakers presented their views and best practices, with special focus on working out ideas and proposals to develop a cooperation increasingly consistent with the principles of energy efficiency, decarbonization and minimizing the impact on the environment.

An official from Iran’s energy ministry expressed hope over cooperation between Iran and Italy on clean energy and said Iran is willing to connect its energy network to Europe in order to help clean energy. He reiterated that creation of corridor between Iran and Europe will strengthen the security and trade ties.

He said that Iran ranks first in the Middle East and 9th in the world in terms of producing electricity from the power plants. He reiterated Iran has the best laws for foreign investment in its energy sector and welcomes any investment in this sector.

Then the Chairman of Iran-Italy Joint Chamber of commerce Giuseppe Zamprini, for his part, said many Italian companies can cooperate with Iran in clean energy and transfer of energy. He also hailed Iran’s measures on adopting laws for clean energy and reducing emission and pollution but admitted after the reimposition of the U.S. sanctions, the pace of these changes have slowed down. He said in the next five years, Iranians would move towards solar energy and reducing dependence on fossil energy and Italian companies can help them. He reiterate that without international openings, cooperation will be difficult.

Meanwhile the head of international development office of Carlo Maresca Spa Company which has been involved in some energy-related projects in Iran termed cooperation in Iran as positive because the country has good potentials. Stefano Falconio said the company constructed one project for building PV on Qeshm Island and finished it in 2018 and it has helped developing two more PVs in Garmsar and Damghan. He said the return of sanctions deteriorated condition for cooperation especially has increased banking problems. He reiterated that trade in Iran is possible provided that stability in regulations and politics are restored.

Then Head of Italian Trade Agency in Tehran Giancarlo Albano, for his part, said Iran and Italy can cooperate at best in the field of construction because they have good companies, adding that renovation and renewing the buildings will lead to energy efficiency.

Meanwhile the CEO of Italy’s association of engineers and architectures (OICE) Roberto Carpaneto, for his part, highlighted the  capabilities of Italian companies for cooperation with Iran and said 60 percent of the revenues of this association are earned abroad and then illustrated some overseas projects of the association in Dubai, Doha , Russia and Kazakhstan.

At the end of the event, the CEO of the European House Ambrosetti Middle East Mr. Luca Miraglia raised some questions.