Undersecretary of State Giorgio Silli was on a mission to Argentina for a busy programme of meetings and visits, divided into a first stop in Buenos Aires, from 18 to 19 April, and a second in Cordoba on 20 April.
The focus of the mission was, first and foremost, the Italian community in the country, which is the largest abroad (with more than one million AIRE members) and constitutes a very strong element connecting Italy with Argentina. In this regard, Undersecretary Silli met the holders of Italian consular offices in the country, elected members of parliament from the South American division residing in Argentina, and representatives of Italian community bodies, Com.It.Es. and C.G.I.E., as well as a large number of associations of compatriots. During the visits to the Italian private school “Cristoforo Colombo” in Buenos Aires and “Castelfranco” school in Cordoba, great appreciation was also expressed for the central role played by the Italian schools found in Argentina in keeping alive the cultural bond with Italy. The contribution of Italian companies or Italian-descendants to the growth and development of bilateral economic cooperation also continues to be equally fundamental, as highlighted by the Undersecretary during his talks with representatives of the Italian business community and visits to the FIAT and IVECO factories in Cordoba.
In the numerous institutional meetings with the Argentinian Authorities, a wide range of topics was examined, particularly concerning the Italian community in Argentina, cooperation with Italy in the economic and cultural spheres, and Rome’s candidacy as the venue of the 2030 World Expo. Specifically, Undersecretary Silli met with the Argentinian Deputy Minister of the Interior, José Lepere, the Undersecretary for Foreign Policy of the Argentinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, Claudio Javier Rozencwaig, and the Minister of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Jorge Macri. In Cordoba, a meeting was held with the Vice Governor of Cordoba, Manuel Fernando Calvo.
Finally, an important part of the visit focused on human rights, with a visit to the Parque de la Memoria in Buenos Aires and a meeting with Vera Vigevani Jarach, Mother of the Plaza de Mayo. The Undersecretary also had the opportunity to learn more about the activities carried out by the Community of Sant’Egidio in Argentina, which were illustrated by the association’s local representatives.
