• 2 months ago
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has held a breakfast meeting with business leaders in Rome, ahead of a press conference with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Transcript
00:00The relationship between Italy and the U.K. is a good, strong, historic relationship.
00:10We are very close allies, obviously partners in the G7, partners in NATO, very strong bilateral
00:17relations.
00:18And I'm much looking forward to seeing the Prime Minister later on today.
00:23And I think it is important, and you should take it as a statement of intent, that within
00:28the first two, three months of our new government, I'm here for a visit like this.
00:33I think that cements the strength of our relationship, which is strong, of course, in trade, as well
00:38as G7, NATO, and other common interests.
00:42Huge amount of trade between our countries, £50 billion.
00:45A number of you have made very important investments in the U.K., for which I'm very grateful.
00:50And I think it's important to say thank you for putting your trust and confidence in the
00:54U.K.
00:55I'm really pleased that we've got two new announcements today of further investment
00:59of nearly half a billion pounds in R&D and in steel.
01:05If this discussion could be frank and honest, if there were things that work well for you
01:10in your trade and investment with the U.K., very interested to hear that, because we want
01:14to build on it.
01:15If, on the other hand, there were things that you say, well, this would make a big difference
01:21in terms of trade and investment, then equally I want to hear from you.
01:26But I am genuinely really grateful to you for giving up your time.