Enterprises Minister Adolfo Urso has appealed for responsibility in securing a swift agreement to send “a positive signal” to investors considering bids for the former Ilva steel plant. “I appeal to everyone’s responsibility to understand the need to send a positive signal today to the investors who must evaluate whether to make an offer and what kind of offer for the former Ilva. For this reason, we hope the agreement will be signed,” Urso stated during high-level talks at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (Mimit) on Tuesday aimed at reviving the steelworks through an inter-institutional program agreement.
According to sources, Minister Urso reported that following recent bilateral talks with individual local authorities and political forces, a draft agreement between the government and local bodies on plant decarbonization has been circulated.
The Mimit meeting connects Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, along with representatives from the Health and Interior Ministries. Participating in person are Puglia Region President Michele Emiliano, accompanied by a large institutional and technical delegation, the extraordinary commissioners for Acciaierie d’Italia and Ilva in A.S., and Stefano Caldoro, advisor to the Prime Minister for Relations with Social Partners. Taranto Mayor Piero Bitetti and other local authorities are attending via video link.
Minister Urso held preparatory talks with Emiliano and local authorities earlier Tuesday. “The spirit with which we are participating in this event,” Governor Emiliano stated, “is to create the conditions for an agreement with the government. So we are here to reach an agreement, not to pretend to reach an agreement.” Emiliano added they attended at the explicit request of local authorities, especially Mayor Bitetti who sought the meeting. He expressed satisfaction the Mayor, albeit remotely, would participate. Emiliano outlined three pillars essential for any potential agreement: full decarbonization, employment continuity, and territorial compensation.