Foreign Ministry Secretary General Michele Valensise has received Ambassador Andrian Yelemessov at the request of the Embassy of Kazakhstan.
Secretary General Valensise reiterated to Ambassador Yelemessov the Foreign Ministry’s surprise and disappointment over his unorthodox handling of the case of Mrs. Alma Shalabayeva with the Italian authorities. The Secretary General was following the line taken by Foreign Minister Emma Bonino with the Kazakhstani Chargé d’Affaires, who was summoned on 17 July. Ambassador Valensise was particularly critical of the Kazakhstani diplomatic representatives’ failure to involve the Farnesina at any time.
The Secretary General reiterated to Ambassador Yelemessov the Italian government’s request for the Kazakhstani authorities to ensure that the rights of Alma Shalabayeva and her daughter Alua are safeguarded in full. He underscored that Italy keenly expects Kazakhstan to restore the two women’s full freedom of movement at the earliest possible date. This acknowledges both Mrs. Shalabayeva’s own wishes – as confirmed by her in her meetings with Italian Embassy officials in Astana – and in the petitions filed by her lawyers.
Ambassador Yelemessov assured the Secretary General that he is ready to encourage Kazakhstan to meet Italy’s expectations and requests, in the knowledge that this course of action would make a positive contribution to the quality of relations between the two countries.
