“Italy is known across the world for its sensitivity to culture and art. Obtaining unanimity at the Security Council is no easy task but Italy has succeeded to do so after spearheading the Security Council’s adoption of a joint declaration condemning the destruction of monuments in Palmyra by ISIS,” said Angelino Alfano, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the day after the UN’s decision which confirms the need to continue promoting international cooperation to protect the cultural heritage of Palmyra.
“It is an important initiative to which Italy attributes particular importance, which also received a constructive contribution by Russia, and has the merit of strengthening the position profiled by our Country in raising awareness on the need to protect cultural heritage against the destructive fury of violent extremism and fight the destruction and trafficking of cultural heritage objects, also with a view to combating the financing of terrorism,” Mr Alfano added. He went on to congratulate Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, for the excellent diplomatic initiative that Italy successfully conducted at the UN.