ITALY RESPONSE TO INVITATION TO ATTEND 2007 GNEP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 001856

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT. OF ENERGY FOR NE (M.CLAPPER) AND HQ (L.EINSTEIN),
VIENNA FOR IAEA, PARIS ALSO FOR USOECD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY KNNP IAEA IT
SUBJECT: ITALY RESPONSE TO INVITATION TO ATTEND 2007 GNEP
MINISTERIAL

REF: A. STATE 114102 (NOTAL)


B. STATE 118280 (NOTAL)

C. STATE 121724 (NOTAL)

D. ROME 00205 (NOTAL)


1. In response to Secretary Bodman's invitation to attend
the second Ministerial Meeting of the Global Nuclear Energy
Partnership in Vienna September 16 (ref B),Embassy received
a letter on 8/30 informing us that Undersecretary for
Economic Development Marco Stradiotto of the Ministry of
Economic Development will participate in the meeting as an
observer. He will be accompanied by Minister Pier Luigi
Bersani's Diplomatic Adviser, Vincenzo de Luca. Translated
text of Minister Bersani's message is in paragraph 6.


2. Department of Energy please note that the Italian
response also contains an invitation to Secretary Bodman to
meet with Minister Bersani at the November 13th Ministerial
Forum in conjunction with the World Energy Congress.
Minister Bersani expresses the hope that they can sign the
final version of a bilateral energy agreement proposed by the
Italians and discussed most recently in Washington on July
12th (ref D).


3. Ministry of Economic Development POC is:
Vincenzo de Luca
Diplomatic Adviser (for International Relations)
Ministry of Economic Development
Via Molise, 2
00187 Rome Italy
tel. ( 39) 06-4788-7801
fax: ( 39) 06-4705-2479
e-mail: vincenzo.deluca@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it
NOTE: Counselor de Luca speaks excellent English


4. Per ref C, we will transmit information on meeting
logistics and security/registration requirements to Counselor
de Luca.


5. Embassy Rome POCs are:
Jill Byrnes, ESTH Counselor
tel. ( 39) 06-4674-2691 IVC 674
fax ( 39) 06-4674-2398
unclassified e-mail: ByrnesJF@state.gov

SIPDIS
classified e-mail: ByrnesJF@state.sgov.gov

(Alternate)
David Whiting, Economic Officer
tel. ( 39) 06-4674-2849
fax ( 39) 06-4674-2398
unclassified e-mail: WhitingD@state.gov

SIPDIS
classified e-mail: WhitingD@state.sgov.gov

BEGIN TEXT (ENGLISH TRANSLATION)


6. Cabinet of the Ministry of Economic Development - August
29, 2008

Your Excellency,

I thank you very much for your invitation to participate in
the GNEP initiative in which Italy has a strong interest, in
particular with regard to the research on safer nuclear
energy.

We intend to take part in the next Vienna meeting as
observers, so as to know more directly and thoroughly the
scope and contents of the initiative.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the
meeting due to previously fixed political engagements.
Nonetheless, our Government will be represented by the
Undersecretary for Economic Development, Hon. Marco
Stradiotto, who will be accompanied by my assistant,
Counselor Vincenzo de Luca, Responsible for International
Relations.

I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to host you in Rome
on the occasion of the Ministerial Forum to be held on the
13th of November within the framework of the World Energy

ROME 00001856 002 OF 002


Congress. On that occasion, we could also finalize the
bilateral collaboration agreement in the energy field, whose
text has already started to be profitably drafted during the
meeting held in Washington last 12th of July.

Looking forward to meeting you soon, I remain,

Yours faithfully,
Pier Luigi Bersani

addressed to: His Excellency Samuel W. Bodman
Secretary of Energy, U.S.A.

SIPDIS
END TEXT

SPOGLI