Sushma Swaraj visits Rome, commences four-nation official visit

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: "Ancient civilizations modern partnership! EAM @SushmaSwaraj arrives in Rome to a warm welcome on the first important visit since the swearing in of new Italian PM."

She has already met Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte.

Swaraj congratulated the Italian leader on assuming the high position.

Swaraj, will pay a 4-nation official visit to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Brussels from 17-23 June 2018.

The visit to France from 18-19 June 2018 will be the first major visit from India to France since the visit of the French President Macron to India in March 2018. During her visit to Paris, Swaraj will meet her counterpart, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe & Foreign Affairs to review the bilateral relations. India and France are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership. While in Paris, Smt. Swaraj will be the Chief Guest at the naming ceremony of the Indian Culture Centre and also interact with the Indian community, read a statement issued by the MEA.

Swaraj will be visiting Luxembourg from 19-20 June 2018.

This will be the first ever visit to Luxembourg by an External Affairs Minister from India. 2018 also marks the 70th year of establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.

During her visit, the External Affairs Minister will be calling on the Hon’ble Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume and Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg.

Swaraj will also have meetings with Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Mr. Pierre Gramegna, the Minister of Finance. In Luxembourg, EAM will also interact with the Indian community.

The Minister will be visiting Belgium from 20-23 June 2018. In Brussels, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister will be meeting the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders. Brussels being the headquarters of the European Union, External Affairs Minister will be calling on the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani.

Swaraj will also be meeting with her counterpart, Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice President of the European Commission to review the entire gamut of India-EU relations. While in Brussels, waraj will deliver a keynote speech at the high-level event ‘Climate, Peace and Security: Time for Action’, lead the International Yoga Day celebrations at the European Parliament and also interact with the Indian community.

The visit to the four European nations will provide an opportunity to hold in-depth discussions with the political leadership on a wide range of global, regional and bilateral issues and advance our growing strategic engagement with the European Union.

Image: Raveesh Kumar Twitter page