It is always a pleasure to visit Rome and talk to our Italian friends. Tonight's dinner, in this magnificent setting of Castel Sant'Angelo, is another example of the hospitality and warm welcome for which Italy is justly celebrated.
This is the third time I have come to Italy for a bilateral summit, and it is the largest number of Ministers that I have brought, which reflects the importance I attach to anglo-Italian relations. [end p1]
It is also my second chance of detailed talks with Prime Minister Craxi. There is a great deal of ground for us to cover tomorrow, and I am glad that on most subjects we find ourselves in agreement.
Our joint participation in the Beirut Multi-National Force means that the difficulties of Lebanon can never be far from our minds. I believe that our analysis is similar. We went there to help the process of national reconciliation, so desparately needed in that troubled land. [end p2] Both our governments would now like to see a greater role for the United Nations, despite the well-known difficulties of achieving that. But the MNF went to Beirut with a purpose. And we do not propose to leave in favor of a vacuum.
Another shared international responsibility is the basing of cruise missiles as part of the NATO modernisation plan agreed in 1979. Both our governments have stood by the commitments entered into then. It is a matter of great regret that the Soviet Union has chosen to break off the INF and START talks. [end p3] The pressing need now is to return to the negotiating table and to work together for peace and security. Initiatives by individual European countries can have a valuable part to play in maintaining contacts with the East: Prime Minister Craxi and I both intend to visit Hungary in the near future.
A third point on which I am sure Britain and Italy agree is the need to maintain and develop the excellent relations which both our governments have with the United States Government. [end p4] We have both worked—and will continue to work—to avoid transatlantic tension while at the same time defending our legitimate national interests.
Our bilateral relations with Italy could hardly be better. We greatly look forward to a visit next month by President Pertini to London, to view the “Genius of Venice” Exhibition, and the Prince and Princess of Wales will tour Italy in October. [end p5] Two million British tourists come here every year, although most of them, unlike me, do not choose January.
There is a great deal of cultural exchange, fostered by the British Council here and by the Italian Institute in London.
Links of this kind are very important, and supplement the work of the two governments.
To promote cooperation in other areas we Ministers have a more direct responsibility. [end p6] I am glad, for example, that both governments are firmly committed to the EH101 helicopter programme. I hope also that the first meeting of the Anglo-Italian Round Table can take place this spring in Rome.
As members of the European Community we are, of course, concerned by its current difficulties. I regret that we were unable to agree solutions to the Community's financial problems and other linked issues at the Athens European Council in December. [end p7] But there is no point in dwelling on the past. My colleagues and I will be devoting an important part of our talks tomorrow to discussing with our Italian friends how best to ensure that the right decisions are taken when Heads of Government next meet in Brussels in March. These decisions will not get easier as time goes on, the Community must not find itself, like Fellini's ship, sailing blithely towards disaster. [end p8] Only when the decisions are taken and the Community's financial arrangements are put on a footing acceptable to all can we look forward to the further development of the European ideal to which we all aspire.
But a Roman poet warned us not to become too serious over dinner. Therefore, I use his words to propose a toast: “Nunc est Bibendum” , to the health of our host, Prime Minister Craxi.