Vincenzo Prati graduated from University of Perugia in Political Sciences. He joined the diplomatic service as Volantario in 1975. He was appointed as secretary legation 1976. He worked at the Directorate General of Political Affairs from 1976-1978. He was appointed second secretary at the Italian Embassy in Pechino (Beijing) 1979. He promoted as First Secretary Legation, 1980. He served First Secretary (Commercial) at the Embassy of Italy in Washington 1983. He was appointed Counsellor Legation1985. He was promoted Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Italy in Washington1986. He worked in Directorate General for Cooperation Development1987. He worked in the Secretariat General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome1989. He was promoted counsellor 1990. He was appointed as First Commercial Counsellor in the Embassy of Italy in 1990. I worked as First Commercial Counsellor at Bonn 1993. He joined the Directorate General for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome 1998. He was appointed at the Directorate General for European Countries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome 2000. He was appointed as Advisor for the International Affairs of the Minister for Ministry of Political Agriculture and Forests 2001. He joined the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome 2001. He was appointed Ambassador to Kuwait and also accredited with credentials of Ambassador to Manama (Bahrain) 2002. He was promoted as Minister Plenipotentiary 2003. He joined the Directorate General for the countries of Asia, Oceania, Pacific and Antarctic as Coordinator for the "Year 2006 Italy-China 2006. He was appointed ambassador to Pakistan in 2008.

Mehmood-Ul-Hassan Khan spoke to Vincenzo Prati Ambassador of Italy in Pakistan, about various aspects of Italian cooperation with Pakistan, helping to achieve desired socio-economic goals and to create a better mutual perceptive between the two countries and an effective business partnership between Italy and Pakistan.

"In very short span of time, I mat people from all walks of life. I founded them very lovely, decent, energetic, and friendly". They are open and ever ready to interact with you. They believe in hospitality, tolerance and above all cooperation. I really like it and admire their humanistic spirits". These were the words of Vincenzo Prati when we began talking about ways that the two countries, Italy and Pakistan may help each other.

Time and again, my country has pledged its interest in the development of Pakistan. We are at right track and caravans of diplomacy, friendship and trust are gradually but surely moving ahead. People to people interaction, flourishing of trade and commerce and above all socio-economic cooperation would be instrumental to have stable and sustainable ties in the days to come. It would be better for both the countries.

The honourable ambassador of Italy, Vincenzo Prati initiated the interview by stating both the countries enjoy good friendly and amicable relations. Trade and commerce, science and technology, infrastructure and construction, and many diversified but integrated programs are the main areas of cooperation.

Italy is Pakistan's 7th largest export destination and 15th largest source of imports. It was less than $209.27 million in 1999-2002. It was $ 450 million (exports of $454 million and imports of $312.6 million) in 2003-04. It has been increasing steadily, surpassing $ 500 million in 2007. He stated, "in his most recent visit to Pakistan, Italian Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Giuseppe Vegas assured that his country supports Pakistan's case for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU)".

Talking on the subject of FDI, FPI and joint venture he said "Chances are bright and potential is huge. Pakistan offers investment opportunities and policies that attract foreign investors. Many Italian private companies have already been working in Pakistan and many more are ready to invest in the country too. In past Italian construction and development firms have been very active in Pakistan, particularly in the water energy infrastructure projects".

Furthermore, Pakistan and Italy have agreed to collaborate in textiles, leather, marble and gems and jewellery, light mechanical machinery, and construction sectors to enhance the volume of trade between the two countries. Italy has already imparted training in gemstone cutting and polishing to 10 graduates of the Karakorum University as master trainers who had started to train other people in the art.

Vincenzo Prati said "Pakistan needs to modernise its agriculture for which Italian government is ready to supply modern agriculture machinery and share its expertise with Pakistan". Moreover, Pakistan has a good potential of olive cultivation and an Italian expert are here to share his expertise in the field. The Northern Areas, Tribal Areas and Balochistan are most suitable for olive cultivation, the value-addition of which can help generate a lot of revenue. "A latest land suitability work undertaken in the country revealed that as many as 800,000 hectares of land, mainly in Balochistan and the NWFP, would be suitable for cultivating olives".

Sharing his views on different ongoing socio-economic and cultural activities he proudly narrated "we helped the government and people of Pakistan in 2005 following a catastrophic earthquake. We pledged human and as well as financial resources for the wellbeing of the needy people. Two Italian Air Force C-130-Js was deployed on Operation "Indus" and an Engineer Task Force. We are working on a unique project "restoration of ancient heritage" in Multan. "We are considering working on many other projects of socio-economic significance in Pakistan. Italian government had also agreed to swap the bilateral debt owed by Pakistan against earthquake reconstruction". Furthermore, Italy will also provide an interest-free loan of euro 7.75 million for development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). An agreement to this effect was inked between the SME Bank and Artigiancassa Bank.

He further stressed that Pakistan is a country with a great deal of potential in business for foreign companies. He said "Italy believes in social justice, democracy and human rights. We believe in good governance, transparency, equality, merit and holding of free and fair elections which would bring desirable gross-root change in the society". "Economic policies should be people friendly and result-oriented. Social policies must be equitable and holistic. Benefits of the political system and economic growth ought to be trickle-down. EU foreign policy Chief Javier Solana recent visit was the continuation of our policy towards Pakistan".

Talking about the importance of soft image he stressed that soft image has become valuable commodity which enhances your market accessibility. It also increases your good will among the ranks of different nations. "I think that more than seventy thousand Pakistani are living in Italy who can play very important role in enhancing soft image of their country"

He said that terrorism is anti-human, and anti-democratic. It discourages the holistic spirits of civility, decency, brotherhood, and cooperation. It is anti-system and promotes anarchy. Sincere political and diplomatic efforts can be successful alternative strategy to resolve the looming threat of terrorism.

Talking about having fair and free international trade system he explained "we are living in a competitive world in which economic stability and suitability plays very important role. "Free and fair international trade is the apex of the WTO and all the countries should promote it".

On a question about global warming he said "that it would be indeed potential threat to our survival. It is global issue which needs lots of paradigm shift in our policies, styles of living, and modes of doing business. International cooperation and consensus is urgently needed on emission of CO2. Conservation of energy resources, huge plantation, and diffusion of education would be helpful.

He agreed that the rising oil and food prices are the emerging threats to global economy. Both have multiplier socio-economic effects. High rates of inflation, increasing poverty ratios and budgetary deficits are the resultant. Concrete systematic policies should be initiated to control the high prices of oil and food commodities. Renewable and alternative energies systems should also be explored.

Looking at Italy's economy once noticed a healthy environment. . The GDP would be 1.5 percent. Inflation may be 2.5 percent. We hope despite high international prices of oil and food all the major targets would be achieved. Italy is a large economy and is also the founding members of the EU, G-8 and NATO. Italy is leader in technology and commerce. It is also internationally renowned for its precision machinery, technological innovation and creative designs