ATHENS

Italy on Tuesday stressed that it still wants strong trade ties with China, after informing Beijing last week about its decision to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative, local media reported on Tuesday.

Addressing the National Farmers’ Association’s assembly in Rome, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: "We have told China that we no longer intend to participate in the Silk Road (the initiative) because it was not a favorable agreement for our exports.”

He argued that some European countries such as Germany and France which are not part of the initiative have had higher and better exports arrangements with China.

"However, this does not mean that we do not want to continue to have a strong trade relationship with China," Tajani added.