His arrival marked the first time that an Italian Foreign Affairs Minister had visited since 2001.
It was only a brief two-day trip, with Mr Alfano spending time in Canberra and Adelaide, accompanied by Giampiero Massolo, chairman of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.
Central to the pair’s visit was the official opening of the Fincantieri office in Adelaide, officiated by Mr Alfano.
Fincantieri will fight for the contract to build Australia’s next warships in the Australian government’s SEA 5000 Future Frigates bid process, to be decided next year.
The Italian company is up against the Britain’s BAE Systems and Spanish shipbuilder Navantia for the multi-billion-dollar contract, which will see the successful candidate design and build nine frigates as a replacement to Australia’s existing Anzac fleet.
“We are bidding hard in order to be able to build here in Australia,” Mr Massolo said.
Fincantieri has already established operations in Canberra and Adelaide, and last week announced a request for proposal to four South Australian companies to build cruise ship blocks in South Australia.
Mr Alfano cut the ribbon to open the new office in front of a big crowd, reinstating his eagerness to work more closely with Australia and foster a strategic partnership which could benefit both nations following Brexit, with Italy replacing Britain as Australia’s reference point in Europe.
“I am very pleased to be here to mark such an important milestone in Fincantieri’s presence in Australia,” Mr Alfano said.
“Fincantieri enjoys a first-class reputation as a global shipbuilder. Fincantieri FREMM frigate, currently in service in the Italian Navy, is regarded by the defence community as one of the most technologically-advanced and effective vessels in the world.
“Since the end of the Second World War, the Italian migrant community has made a significant economic, social and cultural contribution to the growth and development of this nation. Australia and Italy have an established and co-operative relationship, and a shared commitment to strengthening our economies through trade and investment. I am confident that our industrial, naval and technological partnership with Australia can be further enhanced, including through cooperation with Fincantieri.”
Mr Massolo echoed the minister’s excitement.
“This is not just a base. This is something that’s trying to build long-lasting ties between our firm, our country, and Australia,” he said.
Mr Massolo stated that if Fincantieri’s bid is successful, it could serve as a “tool” in sparking a new dialogue between the two nations.
The ambitious project could very well be the beginning of a relationship between Italy and Australia that has never been seen before.
