Italy » International Relations

Italy is member and strong supporter of NATO. It also has the credit of being the founding member of European Union. It is a member of WTO as well and joined United Nations in 1955. Italy shares close ties with other European Union countries as it conducts more than half of its total trade with them.  The UN peacekeeping missions in Somalia, Mozambique and East Timor had the support of Italy and it also sent it troops for these missions.

 

Italy sent its troops to Iraq and played its part for the reconstruction process in Iraq. Italy maintains friendly relations with US that go far back. US has always been supportive of Italy at various times and both the countries have always maintained political co-operation. US and Italy share trading ties and have been partners in various endeavors like the war on terror. There are many Italians residing in US.

 

Italy and Russia relations are strong with Russia being the second important commercial partner of Italy. Russians in great numbers travel to Italy. Berlusconi’s personal relations with Putin served to strengthen the ties during his tenure. Economic ties between Russia and Italy also strengthened and trade between the countries reached new heights in 2006. Italian exports machinery, textiles and furniture to Russia.

Italy and Briton share strong and smooth relations. Both the countries are members of important organizations such as the EU, NATO and G8. The growing number of British tourists to Italy goes to show the popularity Italy enjoys as a favourite tourist destination among British citizens. According to an estimate around 4-5 million British visitors travel to Italy while around 1 million Italians visit the UK. The increased exchange of visitors between UK and Italy to one another’s country serves to strengthen ties between the two countries. When it comes to residency then Italy takes lead as it has 150,000 Italians living in UK while the number of Britons in Italy is 100, 000. Italy and Briton’s economic ties are strong with Italy being one of UK’s largest markets in terms of export. British companies are showing keen interest in the Italian market with many mushrooming in the North West and North East regions of Italy. Italian government is also focusing on increasing the co-operation opportunities for British companies in order to promote Italy and UK’s investment endeavors. The sectors making major investments in Italy are the telecommunication market by Vodafone and in the energy sector by British Gas Group. The British banking industry has its presence in Italy with established banks like Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays operating there.

The impact of Italian culture on British social development is quite evident particularly that of the Renaissance period which started in Italy and spread to Briton. The influence of Italian literature and art is reflected in the works of Chaucer, Milton etc.  Many of Shakespeare’s plays had Italian subjects as the central theme. His most popular plays like ’Rome and Juliet’, ‘Merchant of Venice’, ‘Julius Caesar’ are all plays with Italian themes. The Italian musicians, composers, architects, artist all left their mark on UK culture.

 

Today British art enjoys a good reputation in Italy and is well respected. Both Italy and Briton share such cultural exchanges on a constant basis with each other. British music is also quite popular in Italy.