New Delhi, April 11 -- Italy will co-host a meeting of foreign ministers from countries in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) in the second half of the year, Italian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Friday, calling the proposed route, also known as the Cotton Road, a strategic route for trade, investment, and growth.

Speaking at FICCI's Italy-India Business, Science & Technology Forum, Tajani said the corridor offers a vital opportunity for global trade amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and growing tariff challenges.

Tajani also said Italy is pushing for an early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which he expects will be signed soon.

"Our goal is to ...