Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani spoke today at the Italian Foreign Ministry during the Plenary Assembly of the Italian General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE), an advisory body to the Italian Government and Parliament on major issues of interest to Italians living abroad, which meets at least once a year.
“The Government is strongly committed to constantly improving consular services, protecting Italian nationals living abroad and maintaining their cultural and linguistic identity. We are working in close cooperation with the CGIE to identify concrete initiatives and measures to this end,” said Tajani. “I would like to offer my congratulations to the newly elected Secretary General of the Council Maria Chiara Prodi and to the Deputy Secretary General Giuseppe Stabile, and to reiterate the full support provided by the network of Italian embassies and consulates to the CGIE in carrying out its crucial role,” continued Deputy Prime Minister Tajani.
The CGIE Plenary Assembly will continue until 21 June 2024 in the Foreign Ministry’s International Conference Room. During the plenary, tribute was also paid to former CGIE General Secretary, Michele Schiavone, and former Executive Secretary and Consul General in Vancouver, Marco Nobili, who passed away recently.
Among its many duties, the CGIE aims to foster and facilitate the improvement of the living conditions of Italian communities abroad and strengthen their ties with Italy, as well as to ensure the most effective protection of the rights of Italians abroad, facilitate the safeguarding of their cultural and linguistic identity and promote their economic and commercial initiatives. Made up of 63 councillors, 20 of whom appointed by the Government and 43 elected to represent Italian communities, the CGIE is chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
