Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi has summoned the Indian Ambassador to Rome, Debrabata Saha, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Minister Terzi reiterated the positions already expressed by the Italian Government on the Italian courts’ sole jurisdiction over an event involving organs of the state operating to combat piracy under the Italian flag and in international waters. He protested firmly over the unacceptable measures adopted against our military personnel. Minister Terzi also defined as “unsatisfactory” the adjustments made to ameliorate their detention conditions. Improvements, moreover, that were only implemented after the action taken by Under-Secretary Staffan De Mistura.
Minister Terzi also asked the Indian diplomat to convey to the Government in New Delhi and the state authorities in Kerala the very strong concerns of the Italian Government, Parliament and public opinion. Concerns over the current climate of tension and strong anti-Italian feeling aroused by this case in India, and particularly in Kerala region. A further cause for concern is the possibility that such a climate could be prejudicial to the proper conduct of the legal proceedings now under way, the legitimacy of which Italy does not recognise, given the lack of jurisdiction.
Minister Terzi’s initiative was announced during the briefing at the MFA by spokesperson Giuseppe Manzo. Manzo pointed out that the case was a key issue in Minister Terzi’s recent mission to Asia and Turkey. Most notably, the Minister underscored with his interlocutors there, but also with his European parnters, Italy’s concern that India’s handling of the case involving the two Italian crew members could set a “dangerous precedent in combating piracy”.
The line followed by the Italian Government to bring our servicement home, underscored Manzo, is coherent, determined and unified. All members of the Italian Government are engaged in this extraordinary effort to see the crewmen return to Italy.
