The Department of International Relations welcomed the Italian Ambassador Alberto Bradanini for the 10th Ambassador Talks event on June 6, 2013. He gave a thought-provoking and frank account of Europe and its recent financial woes along with the EU’s connection to China.
Ambassador Alberto Bradanini initially highlighted the challenges facing Italy and how it has dealt with the recent financial crisis. He explained that Italy continues to be the 2nd biggest manufacturing base within Europe and despite the harsh economic climate Italy’s budget deficit has fallen under the EU average. Despite some optimistic statistics however the Ambassador was quick to note that high unemployment remained troublesome. This is evident across the whole of Europe but keenly felt in many Southern European nations such as Spain. The Ambassador warned that if the European Union continues on a path of deindustrialisation there could be severe consequences. The next generation may be forced to migrate out of Europe in the absence of available jobs. A key theme that ran through the Ambassador’s lecture was the need to revaluate the faith in free market capitalism and reassess the stigma on protectionism.
The Ambassador also analysed China’s interactions with Europe, focusing especially on trade relations. China’s entry into the WTO in 2001 marked a key turning point and has led to China becoming the European Union’s main trading partner. He demonstrated to the audience, via statistics, of the huge importance of trade relations between both Europe and China. While explaining the interdependence between the pair the Ambassador also highlighted one area of concern for China that Europe can help address. Mr. Bardanini passionately highlighted that pollution does not respect borders and in the future environmental technology should be spread liberally as it affects every nation. According to the Ambassador, nations within the European Union have the capacity to work with China to combat future environmental problems.
After the lecture the Ambassador kindly answered a multitude of pertinent questions asked by the audience. The questions touched on his past experience of being the Ambassador to Iran, questions over European identity and the European Union’s relationship with China. Mr. Bardanini enthralled the audience with jovial and honest answers and left the audience contemplating his fascinating analysis on Europe and its relations with China.
