Aided by the Italian Ambassador to Romania Alfredo Durante Mangoni, Undersecretary of State Giorgio Silli visited Bucharest today for meetings with representatives of the local Italian community and members of the Friendship parliamentary group with Italian Republic of the Parliament of Romania.
“I am here to meet with the Italian community in Romania, where more than 10,400 Italians live permanently,” said Undersecretary Silli, recalling that policies in favour of Italians in the world are one of the areas in which he assists the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani. “Taking care of the welfare, rights, and interests of Italians who, for a variety of reasons, have permanently moved abroad is a moral obligation, rather than a political one,” emphasised the Undersecretary.
The visit to Bucharest began at the Consular Offices of the Italian Embassy, where, with a view to learning more about the composition and needs of the Italian community, Mr. Silli met the staff on duty and discussed the consular activities mainly requested by users. The Undersecretary then visited the Aldo Moro Italian International School, praising its activities as a “point of reference for the Italian community in Romania and a model of integration of people with disabilities.”
The Undersecretary then went to the Parliament Building for talks with members of the Friendship parliamentary group with Italian Republic, which is chaired by Antonio Andrușceac. “We will work hard to strengthen bilateral relations, starting from the protection of the respective national communities permanently established in Italy and Romania, which serve as a link between our two countries,” said Undersecretary Silli.
The visit ended at the Residenza d’Italia, where Undersecretary Silli also had fruitful meetings with representatives of the Committee of Italians Abroad (COMITES), Confindustria Romania, the local Italian Chamber of Commerce, advice centres and the Italian Assistance Association (COASIT).
“In Romania, I have met Italians who provide first-rate added value to the local community, in its many social, economic-entrepreneurial and artistic-cultural expressions, proudly preserving their indissoluble identity ties with Italy,” said Undersecretary Silli at the end of the visit. “The daily work of the Italian community in Romania contributes to further enriching and consolidating the relationship between our countries at all levels, starting from the political-institutional sphere to the deep ties between the respective civil societies,” concluded the Undersecretary as he left Bucharest.
