Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi spoke on the phone today with the Indian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Salman Khurshid.
He thanked his Indian colleague for his statements following Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre’s return to India. The Minister underscored that the conduct of the Italian institutions and the two riflemen had from the outset been inspired by “the utmost honesty and clarity” vis-à-vis the Indian government and judiciary.
The return of the two marines after the temporary Christmas release granted by the judicial authorities in Kerala was further proof of their “great personal credibility”. Minister Terzi expressed his keen hope for a “rapid and positive conclusion” to the case. Minister Khurshid confirmed that the Italian marines’ return to India had strengthened the climate of great mutual trust between Italy and India.