World Monitor Mag, Industrial Overview WM_November_2018_WEB_Version | Page 20

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EUROBAK Ambassador talks
We are very thankful to His Excellency Mr Pasquale D’Avino, Ambassador of Italy in the Republic
of Kazakhstan, for this unique opportunity to talk in an informal meeting format. On behalf of
EUROBAK we would also like to welcome and thank all the guests, European and other member
companies for joining EUROBAK talks.
In establishing the dialogue between
government and business, embassies take
a very unique place. Ambassadors touch
upon the economy, investment climate,
culture, healthcare, education and many
other aspects of the bilateral and multilateral
engagements.
Italy was one of the first countries
that officially recognized Kazakhstan’s
independence. Milan based Italian ENI was
one of the first companies to establish its
presence in Kazakhstan in the early 1990s.
H. E. Mr Pasquale D’Avino,
Ambassador of Italy
in the Republic of
Kazakhstan
Mr Ambassador, can you share your
personal story in Kazakhstan and a
broader view of Kazakhstani-Italian
relationships? How does it feel to be
an Ambassador and what should an
Ambassador have to represent, such a
county as Italy?
Being an Ambassador is a unique and
privileged position in terms of life. You have to
possess very specific qualities to be successful.
First of all, being able to understand a different
point of view is essential, being able to be
inclusive to different cultures and visions in the
world. This is true for any Italian, European or
any person coming to another country that is
located far away. On the other side, whether in
Asia, Central Asia or Kazakhstan there should
be a capability of mediating between different
points of view. Flexibility is very important
to any culture. It allows you to dig deep into
various issues and become a promoter of your
interests and state.
In reality Italy as a country belongs to the
European Union in terms of common values
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and sense we share. But you have to deal
with this unity accepting that other visions
exist as well. Being without prejudice is
important – not judging what belongs
to a white or any other race makes bur
remaining unbiased.
There are certain values coming from
being the Italian Ambassador. You’ve
got a fascinating job since you represent
the great civilization descending from
the Roman Empire, the Renaissance and
the Baroque époques, Futurism as we as
representing a highly industrialized country.
However, we are the country suffering
from so many prejudices directed toward
us. As the Ambassador I feel I should break
the art of prejudices. I have grown tired of
explaining that we are not a country of pizza
and tomato sauce.
Our number one exports are not fashion,
mandolini or spaghetti, but it is machinery
and mechanics. We are the second after
Germany in terms of machinery. We are
highly industrialized. Italy has six million
registered companies. In Europe some
countries barely have that many people
in the population. This is the country I’m
representing. The country that has always
been a centre of Mediterranean relations.
We have great inclination for traveling
around the world, like such popular
characters and well-known travelers as
Marco Polo, Giovanni da Pian del Carpine,
Stefano Ricci and many others. Long
before computers and any digital devices
were introduced, we were known as
innovators of many things, much earlier
than others.