In a telephone conversation today from the Italian embassy in Astana to Minister Bonino, Alma Shalabayeva expressed her deep gratitude for Italy’s efforts over recent months to help restore her freedom of movement.
The minister said “the embassy will follow Mrs. Shalabayeva step by step until her departure with her daughter Adua”. Finally, the minister added, “our charge d’affaires went to Almaty yesterday evening in order to accompany Mrs. Shalabayeva to Astana to collect her Schengen visa for re-entry into Europe”.
A happy ending to an affair with regard to which, according to Minister Bonino, the foreign ministry had “continued to be active even after the spotlights had been turned off”.
“Mrs. Shalabayeva’s regained freedom of movement brings closure to a situation that began with her expulsion on 12 July last”, the minister concluded.
