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