Italian Economy and Finance Minister Giovanni Tria said that Italy is "strongly interested" in China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which envisions a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa. 

The Minister made the remarks in an interview with Tian Wei, the host of CGTN's program World Insight. 

Tria called the BRI “a very comprehensive strategies for collaboration between countries." 

"Italy is strongly interested in participating in this big project. Both along the land road connecting the Asia and Europe, also the maritime roads connecting through the sea," Tria said. 

For Italy it's not just looking to become a trade and logistical destination for the contemporary Silk Road, but also about connecting to other countries. 

"We could have partnership to cooperate with other countries, in China, also in Italy. We understood this project is not limited to the economic issues, but a big project important to increase the collaboration between the countries involves," Tria said.

Italy used to be the destination for traders along the ancient Silk Road, and the Mediterranean country expects to become an active partner in the contemporary version of the ancient trade route that China has proposed. 

Tria believes the BRI could make Italy into new terminals for international trade. 

"We think that Italy from historical point of view, also looking at the modern time and future, which can be the terminal of the maritime road," he said. 

World Insight With Tian Wei is a 45-minutes global affairs and debate show on CGTN. It airs weekdays at 10:15 p.m. BJT (1415GMT) with rebroadcasts at 4:15 a.m. BJT (20:15GMT).