Minister Bonino awarded the 2013 Golden Apple Libyan human rights activist and founder of The Voice of Libyan Women Alaa Murabit. The prize is awarded annually by the Fondazione Bellisario to twelve distinguished women in fields ranging from design to sport.
The ceremony will be broadcast at 22:00 on Raidue.
Support for Libya is a responsibility we shoulder in our national interests as well, says minister
Before presenting the award, Minister Bonino commented on one of the most often discussed of current themes: Libya’s democratic transition and improved security – issues in terms of which during the G8, which met at the start of this week in Northern Ireland, President Obama asked for Italy’s support. “It is a responsibility that we have shouldered and that will not be easy, but I believe that at stake here are not only Libyan interests, our national ones as well”, explained Emma Bonino as she underscored the Italian government’s firm support for stability in that North African country. “We will do everything possible; Libya is a country that we know very well historically”. And the active role that Italy can play in supporting the democratic transition and economic development and in encouraging Libyans to pursue reconciliation and constitutional reforms in a peaceful and inclusive manner, will see its initial results on 4 July with the visit to Rome of Libyan Premier Ali Zeidan.
