Honourable Paolo Alli was elected President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) at the end of the annual session held today in Istanbul. Italy has not held this prestigious office since 1961.
The Assembly, which was established in 1955, is an independent body of NATO, is composed of 257 delegates, members of the national Parliaments of the 28 NATO allies, and has the task of creating a link between the Alliance and national Parliamentarians to support transatlantic security policies.
Paolo Alli, an MP of the popular political area (NCD-UDC), was designated by the political group of the conservative and Christian-Democratic parties entitled, on a rotation basis, to choose the new president. Mr Alli’s candidacy prevailed over that of France’s Nicole Ameline (UMP). Mr Alli succeeds American Michael R. Turner as President of the Assembly.
His election is in recognition of the great appreciation and prestige that Hon. Alli has acquired among his allied NATO Parliamentarians thanks to the actions promoted in these past years, the active role played by the Italian Parliamentary delegation in the Assembly and Italy’s important contribution to all sectors of NATO activities.
The Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic network have played a decisive role in supporting the candidacy through the effective teamwork also with the Italian Parliamentary delegation at NATO AP, presided by Hon. Andrea Manciulli.
