The Embassy of Italy in Paris gave a grand party for over 1,000 guests yesterday evening to celebrate the Festival of the Italian Republic. Those present included top personalities from Italian and French political, cultural and economic spheres in addition to the diplomatic representatives of both countries. Ambassador of Italy Giandomenico Magliano’s guests of honour were French Prime Minister and Head of Government Jean-Marc Ayrault, Justice Minister Mme. Christiane Taubira, Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs for French Citizens Abroad Mme. Hélène Conway-Mouret, President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the National Assembly Mme Elisabeth Guigou, and former Prime Minister Edouard Balladur.
Italy and France, friends and pioneers of Europe, says Ayrault
“Italy and France are countries with a deep bond of friendship on cultural, political and economic levels. Nothing that happens in your country escapes the French, and vice-versa”, Ayrault pointed out in a brief speech, recalling that Italy and France were “pioneers of the European construction. The French-German relationship is important, but cannot be exclusive, what we have built together we must continue to develop”. Ayrault then quoted the words of Enrico Letta, pointing out how the Italian premier “in his message to Italians as he took up his post, said that now when our fellow citizens are having their doubts about Europe is precisely the moment when we need it the most. I fully agree, more integration and more Europe are what we need to survive the crisis”.
Rome and Paris share historic bonds of collaboration, says Magliano
The French prime minister’s speech was preceded by a welcome address from Ambassador Magliano, accompanied by Ambassador to the Italian Permanent Mission to the OECD Carlo Maria Oliva and Consul General of Italy Andrea Cavallari. Speaking to the audience after the national anthem was played in the gardens of the diplomatic residence, Magliano also made reference to the historic bonds of collaboration between Italy and France and the two countries’ close bilateral harmony, not least in light of the current European economic picture.
