«Naples’ role must be that of Europe’s bridge over the Mediterranean. The future of the European geopolitical axis lies there.” Mayor Gaetano Manfredi’s manifesto is practically a manifesto. And the timing is certainly not coincidental. While Giorgia Meloni places investment in Africa among the central points of the G7 Borgo Egnazia, the mayor proposes Naples, as the capital of the South, as a strategic place in which to develop the new route indicated by the prime minister for Italy and the entire continent. This means, in the plans of the Neapolitan mayor, following the path towards two concrete objectives. The first: continue to bring major events of political and economic importance in the shadow of Vesuvius, starting with the G7 of Culture and perhaps then that of Defense in the autumn. The second: to make the city increasingly attractive also for foreign investments.
The poster
It is precisely from the meeting of world powers in Puglia that Manfredi’s reflection begins. «The South is the true future of Europe. The G7 also demonstrates that the geopolitical axis has changed. The important investment is in Africa and the Mediterranean basin. And where can this investment start from if not from Southern Italy which is Europe’s bridge over the Mediterranean?”, the words of the tenant of Palazzo San Giacomo speaking at the fifth edition of “Naples city book”. A non-random occasion, because the new edition focuses even more on the international level. And this vision is immersed precisely in the waters of the Mediterranean and in relations with Africa and the Middle East. «We have implemented a policy of cultural diplomacy with the cities that overlook the shores of the Mediterranean, because we believe that the role of Naples is essentially a role as a great bridge for Europe towards the new emerging realities: Africa, the Middle East, the which is the future of the European geopolitical axis”, the mayor’s words.
The appeal
But alongside declarations of intent, to achieve a real paradigm shift in the South, concrete actions are necessary. This is why in recent months the mayor has woven a network of important relationships with many of the ambassadors in the city, participating in public initiatives organized by the representatives of foreign countries present in Naples but also with some private meetings. To give ever more substance to the ambition of bringing the Neapolitan city back to being the capital of a South that is truly a protagonist on the world stage, interventions from the national government and the European Union are also needed. «Now concrete political actions are needed, both in the choices of the national government but also in the choices of Europe», says Manfredi, concluding his passage on the topic. A clear appeal for ever greater attention to these issues both on the part of the Executive led by Giorgia Meloni, with policies that help investments in the South, and also on the part of the newly elected parliamentarians in the new European Parliament, in particular those who will be part of the new majority.
The G7 on Defense
The international appeal of Naples and the South is also achieved through major events that attract media, business and political attention. Fundamental showcases that have already happened, are underway and will happen. Suffice it to remember that from April 17th to 19th Capri, pearl of the Neapolitan gulf, hosted the Foreign G7. Another enchanting setting in Campania will host the Ministers of Culture in October. As already announced by Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, in fact, in September Pompeii there will be the opening event of the G7 of Culture in which delegates from Brazil, India, Spain and the leaders of UNESCO will also participate, but Naples will still be the fulcrum of the event. Then there is also another hypothesis in the field. The Minister of Defense outlined it Guido Crosetto to Mayor Manfredi during his last visit to Naples: bringing the Defense G7 to the city, scheduled for 18 to 20 October. An idea that the mayor welcomed with great pleasure, giving Palazzo San Giacomo the utmost availability to take action to contribute, on an organizational level and beyond, to the realization of the event.
Investments
Shop windows that are also useful from an economic point of view. The trail that the Municipality wants to follow is the one that led a delegation from the Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce to visit Naples in May to closely evaluate the investment possibilities. An occasion in which the exponents of the Arab productive world discovered a reality, the Neapolitan entrepreneurial one, made of concreteness and great quality and innovation in sectors such as components, high technology, agrifood and culture. «This visit is the result of the newfound confidence in the city. We must strengthen it to reposition Naples as a Mediterranean hub with the East» said Manfredi on that occasion. A vision proposed again yesterday and which is the true focal point for the future of the city, the South, the country and probably the whole of Europe.
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