Italy to sign new agreement with UNESCO on reconstruction of Odesa

Italy will sign an agreement with Ukraine and the United Nations' cultural agency UNESCO to rebuild the city of Odesa and its cathedral which was badly damaged by a Russian attack.

This was stated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, according to Ukrinform, Reuters reports.

"On May 15 we will sign off on a deal with Kyiv and UNESCO here in Rome for the reconstruction of Odesa and its cathedral," Tajani told a question time session in the lower house of parliament.

"As the G7 presidency, we continue to work for a just peace," Tajani told lawmakers, adding that supporting Ukraine's energy system was also a priority for Italy.

Read also: Italy convenes urgent meeting of G7 over Iran's attack on Israel

Reuters reminds that in February, Italy and UNESCO had already signed an agreement in Kyiv to provide 500 million euros ($534.45 million) towards the restoration of the roof of Odesa's Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi, or Transfiguration Cathedral.

As reported, the G7 presidency will be held by Italy until the end of this year and will be handed over to Canada on January 1.