Politics and economy, culture and tourism, music and chess? These and many other issues were touched upon during interview with the head of Italian diplomatic representation in Uzbekistan Angelo Persiani.

Earlier, in spring of the last year, Angelo Persiani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italian Republic to the Republic of Uzbekistan, shared his impressions on our country and spoke on plans of the diplomatic representation. After almost one year the head of Italian mission in Uzbekistan is our guest again.

- What kind of intergovernmental documents form the basis of bilateral relations between Italy and Uzbekistan?

- There are many such documents, which have been signed since 1999. These are treaties and agreements on friendship and cooperation between our countries in the field of culture, science and technologies, security, promotion and protection of investments. Such normative documents, as well as official high-ranked visits have enhanced the links of Italy and Uzbekistan and can be characterised as ?strong and friendly?. It remained only to put them into practice.

- What official visits do you expect this year?

- We anticipate serious practical results of the forthcoming visit of Adolfo Urso, Deputy Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, to be paid on 18-20 April 2005. Engaging the two Delegations in a pragmatic and serious dialogue, we should fill our trade and economic collaboration with new content.

- How did the volume of turnover between the two countries change in the past years?

- Unfortunately, the figures remained at the same level during 2003-2004 and are characterized by the total turnover volume of nearly US$100 million per year. We do not have the complete statistical data, as major portion of goods is supplied to Italy through the so-called ?third markets?, such as Russia and Turkey. Therefore the real volume of bilateral trade can be much greater.

- And what about joint Uzbek-Italian ventures?

- Presently, 12 joint ventures are operating in Uzbekistan, whereas the number of registered ones is lot more. We are engaged to see them all working successfully.

- What is the position of Italian Republic, as EU member, in respect of Central Asia and Uzbekistan?

- It is well known that this region for ages had trade relations, historical importance of which should be restored taking into account present-day realities. The EU (European Commission) project of transport and communication system ?TRACECA? serves as an example. It is necessary to develop the region?s economic potential on a mutually beneficial basis, while political partnership should cover such important sides, as fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.

These global problems concern the whole world community. The progress of democracy and, especially, observance of human rights are priority principles for the European Union worldwide and relate to this region too. The speech of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at session of Oliy Majlis on 28 January was in this regard fully encouraging for the clear targets it set for the country: progress of democracy, the development of mass media freedom, recognition of the role of civil society, abolition in the near future of death penalty, independence of the judiciary clear divisions of the three powers, etc.

The EU is surely ready to provide all-round assistance for achievement of the goals set by the President of Uzbekistan. Italy, like the EU, would also welcome the creation of a common market in Central Asia, as proposed by a specific initiative of the President of Uzbekistan.

- What cultural exchange programs and other projects are planned?

- More than 200 students are learning Italian in Uzbek higher educational institutions. We are continuing the program of cooperation in the field archaeology ? projects are under way in Samarkand and Bukhara. These projects envisage annual missions of Italian archaeologists from Bologna and Rome. The discoveries as a result of joint researches have already enriched museum expositions of Uzbekistan.

Premiere of Italian opera ?Elixir of love? passed in February 2005 with a great success. Uzbek people like Italian opera, and we are proud of the fact that this piece was included in the repertoire of Alisher Navoi Theatre.

Italian embassy in Tashkent supports regular broadcasts of Italian films, opera and classic music on local radio and television. Days of Italian film are organized in Tashkent cinemas. We are planning to conduct jointly with Cinema Museum a two-week project stipulating demonstration of films and performance of Verdi and Rossini music at symphonic concerts.

- It is known that you are a honorable president of Tourism Committee under AMCHAM working in Uzbekistan. Could you, please, comment on demand for tourist trips to Uzbekistan in foreign travel markets and, first of all, of Italy?

- Italian tourists are traditionally interested in trips to countries of the Great Silk Road. Of course, Uzbekistan is main destination in the Central Asian region.

Historical and architectural heritage of your country represent a vivid interest for Italian tourists. Evidences of ancient history, culture, art, customs and traditions of the Uzbek people are most attractive. Tourists from Italy buy gladly the products of local craftsmen. The Italians want to taste national dishes, listen to folk music, and enjoy exotic amusements, such as riding aboard a camel and many others.

- Can you mention the number of Italian tourists visiting Uzbekistan every year?

- Whatever figures I mention, they are incommensurably small taking into account the significant tourist potential of the two countries. Notably, this problem is characteristic not only to Italy, but also other EU member states. I think that the low volumes of foreign tourists? entrance to Uzbekistan show the need of an urgent and aggressive promotion of Uzbekistan as a tourist destination in main foreign markets, like other countries (Egypt and Turkey) do.

A ?Tourism-Friendly? environment and mentality could be favored by awareness ? campaign in Uzbekistan, like the declaration of the next year as the ?Year of Tourism? within the so-called ?Welcome to Uzbekistan? program. The Tourism Committee that I am presiding is elaborating and proposing several initiatives in order to realize tourist potential increase the country?s share in the world tourism market and, by right, expect substantial benefits.

- What problems are impeding the increase of tourist flows from Italy to Uzbekistan, for instance, prices for air tickets and tourist servicing, quality of services, safety, etc.?

- I would like to note once again that we do not have enough information on tourist opportunities of your country. Even high prices for tourist services can be justified, if tourists are persuaded that only Uzbekistan has its unique monuments and sights. They are ready and will pay for such unique opportunity ? to see something, what cannot be seen anywhere else. That is why, in my opinion, it is necessary to develop and implement a campaign for promotion of the national tourist product of Uzbekistan in Italy.

Unfortunately, the cost of transportations increases in all directions due to growth of prices for airplane fuel. And Uzbekistan is not an exception. At the same time, I would like to mention with great satisfaction the high quality of services rendered by the Uzbek Airways, having an excellent air fleet and a developed transport network. In particular, the number flights to Rome, carried out by the Uzbek airline twice a week, could be ? in some seasons ? increased to three. However, the impression of good servicing on board an airplane may disappear immediately, if tourists face a wearisome border and customs procedures, absence of luggage carts, etc. The main contingent of tourists from EU countries, you know, consists of old people for whom it is hard to carry luggage, but they can afford expenses for comfort.

Another important moment is simplification of tourist formalities, including visa procedures. For example, the possibility of receiving visa for Italian tourists in Tashkent airport upon arrival.

- What do you think of tourist infrastructure in Uzbekistan?

- Uzbekistan has a lot of comfortable hotels and there are famous hotel networks. Particularly, one of the largest Italian hotel networks ? Domina ? is managing in Uzbekistan hotels: Shodlik Palace (Tashkent), President Hotel (Samarkand) and Khorezm Palace (Urgench). ?Domina hotel? group also has its own tourist agency ?Domina Vacanze? in Italy and, as far as I know, it is working actively on increase of tourist flows from Europe to Uzbekistan starting from this year?s tourist season.

The private inns and Bed-and-Breakfast, should help to grow and operate without difficulties. The offer of cultural events (dances, traditional music, nature excursions, traditional horse-racings) should be enriched as well.

Angelo Persiani has a juridical education. He worked in China and was responsible for some African countries, worked in Scandinavian countries. What he really missed is a real oriental country ? he has been to Beijing, Rome and now what he really needs is to be in the middle, in the very heart of Silk Road!

His favorite hobbies are chess, classic and modern music. Speaking about music, BVV Business Report correspondent made sure of that, when the ambassador named composers and their works sounded on radio. And chessboard with chess pieces made in the form of warriors of an ancient oriental army, staying in plain view in the embassy residence, is not just an adornment, but a real field for chess battles of Angelo Persiani and his friends.