We conducted a study visit to Italy
on 12-16 June within the scope of “Technical Assistance for the Strengthening
of the Transport Operating Structure and ERAs in IPA II (2014-2020) Period
Project. Our team of 7 rspresentatives, consisting the Head of EU Investments
Department and EU Investments Department staff, met with the authorities in
Rome and Naples to review potential collaborations, and field visits were made
to examine on-going projects.
The team, which set off on 12th
June, held meetings with the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Mobility
and Rome Municipality officials on 13th June. In the first half of
these meetings, Ministry officials shared their knowledge and experience with
our team about the practices in Italy, the projects carried out and ongoing,
and the infrastructure and superstructure investments they have provided
through these projects. Afterwards, our team was received by Alberto Di
Lorenzo, Mobility Director of the Municipality of Rome, and Stefano Brinchi,
Director of the Office of Foreign Relations and Strategies. In this meeting,
the representatives explained their works and projects within the scope of Rome
Mobility Services, which coordinates and monitors all transportation within the
province of Rome and answered the questions of our team. In these two meetings,
potential collaborations and the adaptation of good practices to Turkey were discussed.
On the second day of the study
visit, our team met with the representatives of the Italian Ministry of Foreign
Relations and International Cooperation, General Directorate of European and
International Trade Policies Laura Pirino and Piera Mercuri and held a meeting
regarding the IPA programmes with the representatives of the MFRIC. In this
meeting, the frameworks and new regulations in the IPA III period and IPA III
period were emphasized. In the second meeting of the day, our team conducted a
site visit to the ANAS (Azienda Nazionale Autonoma delle Strade / National
Autonomous Roads Company) Smart Road Program. During this visit, ANAS officials
informed our team about the Smart Road Program. Officials stated that with the
Smart Road Program, they aim to modernize the road infrastructure in Italy and
to integrate this infrastructure with digital systems. At the end of the day,
our team paid a courtesy visit to the Turkish Embassy.
On the last day of the study visit,
our team went to Naples to conduct a site visit to the Port Network Authority
of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea. During this visit, the representatives of the
authority shared information regarding how they operate their organization with
our team. After this visit, study visit was completed, and our team returned to
Turkey on 16th June.