Romano Prodi (left) and Wen Jiabao

CHINA. HUMAN RIGHTS TALKS HAVE BEGUN, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER

September 18, 2006: "We have commenced a structured dialogue with China on human rights issues,” stated Italy’s Prime Minister Romano Prodi after meeting his Chinese counterpart Wen Jabao in Beijing.
“Dialogue is an important instrument for strengthening the preservation of the right to information, the right to expression and the freedom of religion,” stated Prodi.
The two leaders held a joint press conference at the end of their meeting.
“This is an issue to which Italy is particularly sensitive,” Prodi added.
Italy’s International Trade and European Policies Minister Emma Bonino commented on the same issue stating that China’s great economic development needed to be accompanied by greater respect for human rights. Bonino made her comments on September 15 at the opening of the Canton Fair. (Sources: Corriere della Sera, 18/09/2006; Dip. Politiche Comunitarie, 15/09/2006)