The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, received the Italian representative at the United Nations, Ambassador Cardi, today. Acting on Minister Bonino’s instructions, the Ambassador had requested an urgent meeting with the Secretary General.
Our Ambassador expressed the Italian Government’s concern over the possible negative repercussions that applying the anti-terrorism law against the two marines could have on the campaign to fight piracy and international terrorism. Italy’s concern has been shared publicly by the European Union’s High Representative, Ashton, and the Secretary General of NATO, Rasmussen
The Secretary General paid close attention to the points illustrated by our Permanent Representative and is expected to speak to Minister Bonino by phone late this evening (12 February).
An EU-28 coordination meeting is taking place today in New York to discuss India’s decision to charge the two Italian riflemen under the SUA Act, which governs the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation. The meeting was organised after a phone conversation between Minister Bonino and her Greek colleague Venizelos, whose country currently holds the EU Presidency.
