A meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia will be held on Monday 2 July 2012 at 14:00 at the foreign ministry in Rome. Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi will deliver the opening speech.
The Contact Group is the forum in which the international community coordinates its efforts toward the stabilisation of Somalia. Participants include Somali political leaders and approximately 45 delegations, and meets at least twice annually within the context of the United Nations.
The meeting is an essential appointment ahead of the conclusion of the Somali “transition” on 20 August 2012. Its being held in Rome is also acknowledgement of Italy’s frontline role in the 8-year transition, and strong political and financial commitment on behalf of the Somali people and institutions.
The opening session, whose speakers will include Minister Terzi, UN Special Representative for Somalia Amb. Augustine. P. Mahiga, high level Somali authorities and Contact Group co-chairs the Norwegian and U.S. delegation heads, will be open to the press.
Journalists and camera operators interested in covering the event are asked to apply for accreditation by completing the interactive form available at the link http://mae.accreditationsystem.info/ITA/Indice.asp to which all required documentation can be attached in digital format.
If in exceptional cases it is not possible to complete the online accreditation procedure, applications in writing on company letterhead and signed by the director of the organisation concerned—indicating name, surname, date and place of birth, number of a valid ID document and qualification—should be sent by fax to the Press Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (tel. 063691.3432 fax 06.3691.2122).
Accredited members of the press are asked to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs –Via Macchia della Farnesina entrance – beginning at 13.15.
