The Italian government’s international development scheme aimed at boosting cooperation with African countries – known as the Mattei Plan – is set to be the focus of discussions at the Italy-Africa Conference taking place in Rome later this month.

In the lead up to the conference on January 28, the Algerian ambassador Abdelkrim Touahria told ANSA that his country's friendship with Italy is important to the implementation of the plan.

"Italy can play an important role because, unlike other countries, it does not have a colonial past nor does it aspire to it, and the friendship with Algeria will be very important," Touahria said.

He described Enrico Mattei, who founded the Italian energy company ENI and lends his name to the development scheme, as "a friend of Algeria and Africa, a great man who helped poor countries manage their resources."

The ambassador underscored the need for development in countries of migrant departures, the majority of which are in the sub-Saharan region. Algeria itself, at first just a transit company, is now a destination for a growing number of people, he added.

"Italy, with its resources as a developed country and with ENI, can do a lot to improve the lives of these African citizens, and the Mattei Plan will lead the situation," Touahria said, implying that greater development in African countries will lead to a decrease in future migration flows.

"These are initiatives to be put in place for the stability and security of the Mediterranean. The Italy-Africa Conference has a particular importance, and Algeria will work actively on this Plan, taking into consideration the economic relations and friendship that the two countries maintain."

'Italy bears the brunt of migration in Europe'

Migrants who leave their home countries "are experiencing terrible social and economic conditions, and this pushes people to migrate to Europe thinking that it will offer them prosperity, while it is not the case because even European countries have problems managing their citizens," said Touahria.

"Italy is the country that bears the brunt of migration in Europe," he added.

He said action must be taken to help Africans become aware of the resources that their countries offer, so that their citizens can improve their lives without attempting journeys to Europe.

According to the ambassador, "With the Mattei Plan, the Italian government wants to address the root of the problem, going to Africa to solve at least 80% of the migration issue and giving people positive conditions to live in while remaining in their home countries."

Touahria also called on host countries to stop implementing a "subjective approach" that creates a preference for migrants who have professional training over those who do not.

"We must not choose a certain type of migration, because people who have studied should remain in their native countries to help those countries develop," he concluded.