RAMALLAH, Tuesday, July 18, 2023 (WAFA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad Malki today told the coordinator of the electoral campaign to promote Rome's candidacy for Expo 2030, Sebastiano Cardi, that Palestine is committed to supporting the bid by Saudi Arabia to host the Expo 2030.

He said during a meeting with the Italian delegation in Ramallah, that despite the depth of the historical bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, Palestine will vote in favor of Saudi Arabia, which is competing with Italy in hosting Expo 2030.

During the meeting, Cardi reviewed the importance of Italy's candidacy to host the Expo 2030, indicating that his country is making every effort to achieve this including visiting some countries that Italy considers a top priority to persuade them to vote for it in the voting that will take place in November in Paris.

He expressed his hope that Palestine would reconsider its position and vote in favor of Rome, explaining that the participation of the State of Palestine in the Rome Expo and cooperation with Italy would be a very important step for Palestine in several aspects, the most important of which is the economic aspect, in addition to Italy's intention of providing a package of financial support to all countries that will participate in the exhibition.

Nevertheless, Malki affirmed the commitment of the State of Palestine to vote in favor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was expressed by the minister on more than one occasion, the last of which was during his meeting with the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in line with the natural and traditional position for the State of Palestine, and in implementation of the decisions of the League of Arab States.

M.K.