Thanks to a "renewed high-level political dialogue," Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta's visit to Italy will strengthen the strategic relationship between Italy and Mexico, said Ambassador Alessandro Busacca.

In an interview with Notimex, the Italian ambassador to Mexico emphasized that Letta's visit takes place within a framework of bilateral relations that he described as excellent, since both countries are united by close ties of friendship and collaboration.

Within this framework, events scheduled for 2014 will take place, such as the Business System Mission next spring and the meeting of the Italy-Mexico Binational Commission in the second half of this year.

Moreover, 2014 also marks the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Today, issues of mutual interest "cover practically all sectors, from political, security and economic cooperation to growth and investment," said Busacca.

He highlighted the presence of Italian companies in Mexico, with firms such as Pirelli, Techint (Tenaris-Tamsa), Fiat-Chrysler, Ferrero and Enel Green Power, but also small and medium-sized companies, which are expanding their investments.

Italy is the second largest European exporter to Mexico, after Germany. In 2012, the volume of trade exchange was 5.4 billion dollars of Italian exports to Mexico and 1.3 billion dollars of Mexican exports to Italy.

"We hope that this relationship can be balanced thanks to more exports and more Mexican investments to Italy" expressed Ambassador Busacca. To this end, he said, the government approved the "Destination Italy" plan, which facilitates investments to the European country.

The ambassador also said that there is "a shared vision on major issues on the international agenda: the strengthening of the United Nations, the fight against organized crime, climate change and the protection of human rights".

He also pointed out other issues of relevance to both countries, such as international migration, food security and the global challenges considered within the framework of the Group of Twenty (G-20), of which Italy and Mexico are very active members.

"A specific mention deserves also the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as the process for the establishment of the Post-2015 Development Agenda," he said.

Busacca recalled that in 2015 the Universal Exposition will take place in Milan, whose central theme will be based on education, quality and food security in its various scientific, health and human development implications.

"We congratulate the adhesion of Mexico to the Expo, which will have its pavilion in one of the most important and visible points." Mexico and Italy have a strong reciprocal cultural sympathy and attraction, and as an example he highlighted the gastronomic tradition and quality.

Thanks to the dynamic activity of the Italian Institute of Culture in Mexico City, there is a strong presence, as shown by the recent film retrospectives and the events dedicated to the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of composer Giuseppe Verdi.

The second edition of the Italian film festival at the Cineteca Nacional is on its way, with Italian feature films that won awards at the recent Venice and Cannes festivals. The festival will be attended by directors and actors of the latest generation.

A complete retrospective of the great master of the golden age of Italian cinema, Michelangelo Antonioni, is also being planned.

"It is also worth mentioning the growing interest in our language. Many Mexicans are studying and perfecting their language skills in the facilities of the Italian Institute of Culture and the Dante Alighieri Society," said the ambassador.

"Day by day the embassy puts itself at the center of the Italy in Mexico System, a synergic coordination between organizations that work to promote Italy's image and to promptly assist the Italian community in this country," he added.

Prime Minister Enrico Letta's two-day visit, which begins tomorrow, Monday, is the first by an Italian official of that level to Mexico in more than 20 years.