ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: Pakistan and Italy will sign five pacts in the fields of finance, development cooperation, education and culture here this week. The agreements would be signed during Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Gianni Vernetti’s two-day visit to Pakistan beginning on Friday, sources said.

A debt swap agreement of around 65 million euros is on the cards besides one on cultural exchange. Two Memoranda of Understanding will be signed on higher education and development cooperation.

A Letter of Intent on university and scientific cooperation would also be inked, the sources said.

A highlight of the visit would be the opening of the Italian Development Cooperation Office in Islamabad.

Undersecretary Vernetti is scheduled to hold talks at the foreign affairs ministry on Friday. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtyar will lead the Pakistan side.

The Italian undersecretary will also call on Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.—Q.A.