by InTrieste
The governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Massimiliano Fedriga, met this week with members of the United States Congress in a series of talks aimed at strengthening economic and institutional ties between American states and Italian regions.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meetings, Mr. Fedriga said discussions with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers focused on expanding cooperation through new agreements designed to encourage reciprocal investment. He emphasized the importance of building relationships not only at the national level, but also between local governments.
“The bond between Italy and the United States is also rooted in connections between territories,” he said, adding that such agreements could create tangible opportunities for businesses and foster longer-term partnerships.
Among those present at the meetings were Mike Rulli, a member of the Italian-American Congressional delegation; Joe Wilson, who chairs the U.S. Helsinki Commission; and Jimmy Panetta, vice chairman of the Italian-American Congressional delegation. Also attending were the regional councillor for economic development, Sergio Emidio Bini, and Mr. Fedriga’s spokesman, Edoardo Petiziol.
A central theme of the discussions was the strategic role of the Port of Trieste, which American counterparts identified as a key hub linking Central and Eastern Europe to global maritime routes.
Mr. Fedriga described the port, along with the region’s broader transport network, as a significant asset for international trade. He said ongoing efforts to develop the logistics hub should receive support not only from Italy and the European Union but also from the United States, noting that some collaboration is already underway.
The governor also pointed to rising geopolitical tensions as a reason to strengthen alternative trade corridors, arguing that diversified routes could help safeguard economic stability and protect national production systems from external shocks.
In a separate exchange, Mr. Panetta indicated that a delegation of members of Congress is expected to visit Italy in the coming months. Mr. Fedriga, who also serves as president of Italy’s Conference of Regions, extended an invitation for the group to meet with regional leaders, framing the initiative as a way to reinforce ties that transcend national governments and are grounded in shared democratic values.
