- IMEC: A Vision for Growth and Cooperation: A strategic project linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia with Trieste as a key hub
- Trieste’s Strategic Role in Global Trade: A natural gateway to Europe, ideal for efficient distribution of goods
- Collaborating in Third Countries for Stability: Joint efforts in infrastructure development to support regional growth
Senator Marco Dreosto’s recent visit to India provides significant insights into the future of Italy-India cooperation, mainly through the IMEC (Indo-Middle East-Europe Corridor) project. Representing Friuli Venezia Giulia and serving as a member of the Foreign and Defense Committee’s Presidential Office, Dreosto participated in high-level meetings, including discussions with India’s Minister of Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal, and his involvement in “Sagarmanthan,” the ocean forum organised by the Observer Research Foundation think tank.
His presence in India reflects Italy’s renewed focus on strategic connections between the Indo-Pacific and the Enlarged Mediterranean, where Trieste and the Friuli Venezia Giulia region could play a pivotal role.
IMEC: A Strategic Corridor and Vision for Cooperation
The spotlight of the visit was on the IMEC project, which aims to connect Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. As one of the most ambitious initiatives in infrastructure and international cooperation, IMEC positions Trieste as a natural hub, leveraging the city’s connectivity within Central Europe’s value chain. The meeting with Minister Sonowal aligns with Italy and India’s plans to finalise a ports agreement that builds upon the Joint Action Plan established during the bilateral meeting between Giorgia Meloni and Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in Brazil.
Speaking to Formiche.net about the corridor, Dreosto described IMEC as “more than just a trade route—it is a vision for growth, stability, and cooperation among strategically vital regions.” The project provides a platform to deepen economic ties between Italy and India while fostering political and cultural bonds for the long term.
“History reminds us that our two nations share a millennia-old commercial heritage,” Dreosto noted, referring to the discovery of Roman coins in India as evidence of ancient economic and cultural links. “Today, we have the opportunity to revive and strengthen those connections through IMEC, a project that the Italian government considers strategically important.”
According to Dreosto, IMEC is not merely about reshaping global trade routes to mitigate supply chain risks; it also seeks to integrate markets, technologies, and innovations, directly impacting business competitiveness and value chain efficiency. In this context, “Italy’s active participation, alongside strategic regions such as Friuli Venezia Giulia, could bolster Europe’s position within the new global trade architecture.”
Trieste as a Hub for Indo-Mediterranean Trade
Trieste stands out as a critical node in Italy’s strategy for IMEC. “The Port of Trieste is a natural gateway to Europe, with direct links to major markets across the continent, particularly Germany and Central and Eastern Europe,” Dreosto explained. Its advantageous geographic location and advanced infrastructure make it an ideal candidate to serve as one of the corridor’s main terminals.
Trieste offers India a strategic and efficient entry point to European markets. “Imagine a ship departing from Mumbai and arriving in Trieste. From there, goods could be rapidly distributed across Europe, reducing costs and transit times while enhancing trade reliability,” said Dreosto. Beyond commerce, Trieste’s historic role as a crossroads of cultures and languages positions it as a platform for Indian businesses looking to expand into Europe, creating new opportunities for collaboration.
Cooperation in Third Countries: A Multilateral Dimension
Another promising dimension is the potential for Italy and India to collaborate on developing port infrastructure in third countries, such as the Middle East and Africa. Dreosto highlighted how this vision aligns with Italy’s “Piano Mattei,” an initiative to promote equitable and sustainable economic development in partner regions.
“Indian engineering and technical expertise, combined with Italian proficiency in port management and logistics, can significantly contribute to modernising infrastructure and creating more efficient trade routes,” Dreosto added. Such collaborations could not only support local economies but also enhance regional stability, in line with the principles of the Piano Mattei: respect, equity, and shared growth.
Strengthening Historical Ties and Building New Opportunities
Looking ahead, Dreosto emphasised the importance of transforming projects like IMEC into tangible instruments of cooperation and shared growth. The five-year program established during recent discussions provides a solid foundation for these efforts. “This is an extraordinary opportunity not only to strengthen our historical ties but also to create new symbols of collaboration—through Trieste, through IMEC, and through the mutual respect that has always characterised relations between our two nations.”
IMEC stands as a strategic and cultural bridge that has the potential to redefine relations between the Indo-Pacific and the Enlarged Mediterranean. In this context, the expertise and port systems of Friuli Venezia Giulia emerge as central not only to the project’s success but also to elevating Italy’s role in a new era of international relations.
(This article is an adaptation of the original interview conducted by Emanuele Rossi for Formiche.net in Italian)
