BEIRUT: Lebanon and Italy signed Thursday a memorandum of understanding to promote bilateral scientific cooperation. The Lebanese Agriculture Ministry and the National Scientific Research Center signed an MOU with the Italian league for fisherman (Lega Pesca) as part of the Qana Scientific Boat Project.

“This Memorandum is an important step toward sustainable development, resource management and scientific cooperation between Lebanon and Italy,” Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Giuseppe Morabito said.

Morabito added that cooperation in research and technology would help improve the wealth and quality of life for both the Italian and Lebanese people.

“Italy merged its efforts with Lebanon into the CANA research vessel allowing the Lebanese National Scientific Research Center to perform important marine studies and ensuring Lebanese policymakers and administrators with tools to protect and manage their share of the Mediterranean and of its resources,” he said.