The Mediterranean is in turmoil. But, at the same time, it’s the economic and political protagonist and area of development for Italian companies. The discussions that from 30 November to 3 December brought the Mediterranean back to being the big protagonist of the International debate took place between these two contradictions.

If, on one side, the Mediterranean is still troubled by winds of political instability, on the other one the Mediterranean business community is fully aware of the stabilizing role generated by the economic growth stemming from business activities.

This is what emerged during the Euro-Mediterranean Forum organized by Confindustria, in cooperation with BUSINESSMED, the Association of Mediterranean confederations of industry, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the National Institute for foreign trade (ICE), which took place in Rome last 30 November 2016.

“It is not change that brings instability, but our inability to understand growth, while Africa is well aware of it. Unlike Europe, the Business community understands the concept that social stability starts from economic development” remarked Alberto Baban, President of Confindustria’s Small Industry and Vice-President of BusinessMed.

A Mediterranean on which to work in order to build a positive agenda has been also at the centre of the second edition of MED-Mediterranean Dialogues, promoted in Rome from 1 to 3 December by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI (the Italian Institute of International Political Studies).

Shared prosperity, Shared safety, Migrations and Civil society and Culture are the four pillars of the debate between over 500 political, economic and financial leaders.

Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo: http://www.assafrica.it/