Messina and Reggio Calabria sign Integrated Area of the Strait agreement

The mayors of Messina and Reggio Calabria, Federico Basile and Francesco Cannizzaro, have signed a protocol to establish the Integrated Area of the Strait. This agreement aims to transform the geographical and cultural proximity of the two Sicilian and Calabrian cities into a shared political and institutional project to boost regional development.

Supporters, including Senator Tilde Minasi, view the agreement as a historic milestone that requires parliamentary support to provide the new metropolitan reality with necessary regulatory tools. The Strait Bridge is cited as a critical infrastructure to connect the two shores and create a strategic Mediterranean hub.

However, local officials in Villa San Giovanni have expressed concerns, arguing that the agreement lacks focus on essential mobility issues. Mayor Giusy Caminiti and her administration are calling for national legislation to ensure territorial continuity, specifically requesting reduced ferry tariffs and a single ticket system to facilitate the movement of students, workers, and goods.