Undersecretary of State, Vincenzo Amendola, is on the second day of his visit to the United Kingdom. After London, the Italian Government official went to Manchester this morning, where he met with Lord Mayor, Andy Newman, to whom he reaffirmed the closeness and solidarity of the Italian Government and people after the terrible attack of last 22 May in which 22 people – including many youngsters – were killed and more than 120 more were injured. Our two Countries – Mr Amendola said – are working in close cooperation in a common effort to assure peace and security. Only a few days after the tragic events in Manchester, the Taormina G7 Declaration on fighting terrorism and violent extremism marks a considerable step forward in the G7’s commitment to take action on terrorist propaganda, foreign fighters and the funding of terrorist organisations. Moreover, Mr Amendola, accompanied by Ambassador Pasquale Terracciano, went to sign the book of condolence. He then went to St Ann’s Square in Manchester, where the city has set up a memorial for the victims of the attack. At the memorial, Mr Amendola observed a minute of silence and laid a wreath of flowers.
Later in the morning, Mr Amendola met the representatives of the Italian community and associations and attended the ceremony to award the insignia of the Order of the Star of Italy. In his address, Undersecretary Amendola highlighted the commitment of the Italian Government to the Italian communities in the UK, especially in view of the Brexit, and recalled that work is in progress to reopen a consular office in Manchester.
