12. İtalya cumhurbaşkanı
Ambassador to Bangladesh Commemorates the Dhaka Massacre
(ANSA) - ROMA, 01 LUG - The Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Antonio Alessandro, hosted a ceremony at his residence to commemorate the twenty-four victims—nine of whom were Italian—of the terrorist attack that took place on July 1, 2016, at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka. On this occasion, Ambassador Alessandro read President Mattarella’s message marking the tenth anniversary. Ambassador Alessandro recalled the contribution of the Italian victims—entrepreneurs and professionals from the private sector—to the growth of Bangladesh’s economy, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the ceremony, which is held annually in memory of victims of all nationalities and faiths. Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka. Among those in attendance were diplomatic representatives from Japan, India, and the United States—the victims’ countries of origin—along with representatives of the local police, family members and friends of the victims, hostages who survived the attack, and representatives of the Italian community. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed spoke on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh to express solidarity with the victims’ families and reiterate her country’s commitment to preventing and combating violent extremism. Read article...
Dakka’daki 2016 Terör Saldırısının Onuncu Yılında İtalyan Anma TöreniMeloni says time for figure from Right of political spectrum of be Italy's president
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 30 - Premier Giorgia Meloni has said it is time for a figure from the Right of the political spectrum to become Italy's president. "After breaking the one at (the premier's office at) Palazzo Chigi, the right can break the taboo of the Quirinal (presidential palace) too," Meloni, the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, told Mediaset's '10 Minuti' programme. "It would be terrible news for a certain part of the establishment, but it would affirm something very simple - that those who aren't on the Left aren't the children of a lesser god. "But the Italians will decide". Meloni became Italy's ever woman premier and its most right-wing head of government since World War II after the centre-right coalition she heads won the September 2022 general election. President Sergio Mattarella's second term as Italy's head of State is set to end in 2029. Meloni also spoke about general-turned-politician Roberto Vannacci and his new far-right National Future (FN) party, saying she could see no difference between it and the other opposition groups. "They vote in the same way as the Left (in parliament), they're always speaking out against us," she said. When asked about FN's flagship policy proposal, remigration, she said this amounted to "assisted voluntary repatriations" which her government already carries out. She also said her recent spat with US President Donald Trump had not made her turn sour on the United States. "I wasn't on my knees yesterday, and I'm not anti-American today," she said. (ANSA). Read article...
Italy celebrates 80th anniversary of opening of the Constituent Assembly
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 25 - Italy on Thursday celebrated the 80th anniversary of the first session of its Constituent Assembly with a ceremony in the Lower House involving President Sergio Mattarella, Premier Giorgia Meloni and lawmakers from both chambers of parliament. The Constituent Assembly was the parliamentary chamber that sat from June 1946 to January 1948 to write the Constitution for the Republic after the Italian people voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy following World War II. "I thank the Speakers of the Chambers for taking this initiative to honour the women and men who, in the Constituent Assembly—in this chamber, where its work took place — were able to give shape to the freedom and democracy of the Italian people in the aftermath of the referendum that chose the Republic as the form of government, and were able to guarantee its independence" Mattarella said. "Working intensely for 18 months, the 535 men and 21 women called to serve in the Constituent Assembly set out to restore the image of Italy, and the result was a Constitution that has ensured stability for democratic institutions and Italy's international standing over the past decades, and promoted the country's progress". He said critics of the assembly who argue it was a largely a big bartering operation between the main parties of the day are wrong. "On the contrary, they (the parties involved) adhered to a fundamental principle that has gradually taken root in the common consciousness of (Italy's) citizens: 'the Republic belongs to everyone'," he said. (ANSA). Read article...
Meloni says Trump fabricated story she 'begged' for photo
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 19 - Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday said US President Donald Trump's reported assertion that she begged him to have a photo with her during this week's G7 summit is false. "Donald Trump's declarations are completely fabricated," Meloni said in an Instagram post. "Frankly, I am stunned. "Italy and I never beg," she continued. "Some things deserve an immediate response. "I don't know why the US president behaves this way towards his allies. "It's not the first time it's happened, I can only say it's unfortunate he doesn't show the same determination towards the West's enemies". Trump said Meloni begged for a photo in an interview with La7 television's Aria che Tira programme. At the start of the interview, Trump immediately steered the conversation towards Meloni, asking "how is your prime minister?. "What did she say when she met me? She's probably happy I talked to her," he added. "I didn't have to talk to her. I don't know what to say. "She begged me to take a picture with her. "She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her". Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he has cancelled a visit to the United States planned for June 21-22, saying Trump had offended "all of Italy" with his "serious and offensive words". President Sergio Mattarella called Meloni to express his solidarity, sources said. Meloni had been big friends with Trump, and she was the only European leader invited to his inauguration last year, until the Iran war. The Italian government's stance included refusing the US permission to use an air base in Sicily for raids during the war. Trump accused Italy of not being helpful and said Meloni had changed. The premier also drew Trump's ire by defending Pope Leo XIV after the president said the pontiff was "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" following his criticism of the war. After the G7 summit Meloni said that her relations with Trump were unchanged, there were no "recriminations" and that the two leaders understood each other's points of view. Italy's opposition parties on Friday joined the government in condemning Trump over the comment, while also arguing this shows being too acquiescent with the US administration is counterproductive. "Solidarity with Giorgia Meloni for Trump's unspeakable words," Filippo Sensi, a Senator for the centre-left Democratic Party, said via X. "No one is allowed to adopt such an arrogant tone toward the person leading the Italian government. "I have nothing in common with Meloni, who boasted about being a bridge (between Trump's American and the EU), and the Right. "But no one can treat Italy this way". Former industry minister Carlo Calenda, the leader of the centrist Azione party, said he was convinced Trump had made up the story. "Trump is a serial liar and a ridiculous bully," Calenda said. "Personally, I don't believe Giorgia Meloni begged for anything at all. "In any case, these insults must be rejected as they undermine the nation's honour". Ex-premier and 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte said Italy "doesn't deserve to find itself so blatantly humiliated. "I say this as an Italian citizen first and foremost, not as a politician," Conte continued in a social-media post. "So, it's completely unacceptable that one of our allies would dare speak in this way about our institutional leaders. "I only hope that a reflection will be opened to learn from what happened. "Signing up to everything we're asked to do, chasing photos and book prefaces, can never prevail over our national interest. "We must roll up our sleeves for our country, which must defend its dignity, its credibility, its greatness". Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed full "solidarity" with Meloni at the European Council, saying the attack was "neither political nor personal. "In fact, I don't even know how to describe it," Sánchez told a news conference at the end of the EU summit. When asked about the furore by ANSA as he left the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "surprised" by Trump's attack. "I'll see her next week and I'll talk to her about it," Macron added, referring to the June 25 France-Italy bilateral summit in Antibes (ANSA). Read article...
Mattarella calls Meloni to express solidarity after Trump affront
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 19 - President Sergio Mattarella called Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday to express his solidarity after US President Donald Trump's offensive comments on her, sources said. In an interview with La7 television, Trump said Meloni begged for a photo with him during the G7 summit. Meloni said Trump's assertion was false, stressing that she never begs and neither does Italy. (see related). (ANSA). Read article...
Meloni ve Trump, G7 Zirvesi'nde 'Netleştirme' Toplantısı YaptıAmbassador Fabrizi presented his credentials to the President of Djibouti
(ANSA) - NAIROBI, 18 GIU - Italian Ambassador Sem Fabrizi presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, during a formal ceremony held this morning at the Presidential Palace. In his remarks, Ambassador Fabrizi conveyed the greetings of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and of all Italian authorities, reaffirming feelings of friendship and deep appreciation for the strong ties that unite the two countries and their respective peoples. The Ambassador highlighted the high level of bilateral relations, as evidenced by President Guelleh’s successful participation in the second Italy-Africa Summit—held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Addis Ababa last February— and the cordial meeting with Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tajani during his visit to Djibouti last December. Fabrizi also expressed his gratitude for Djibouti’s hospitality and support for the presence of the Italian Military Support Base (BMIS), which underscores the importance of collaboration on security and defense in an area of primary importance for the maintenance of international peace. Finally, the Ambassador expressed his commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure, including cooperation in the economic, scientific, and cultural fields. Read article...
Small number of private individuals invading state domains says Mattarella
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 17 - A very small number of private individuals are invading state domains, President Sergio Mattarella said Wednesday referring to unnamed tech tycoons. "The concentration of control of new technologies in the hands of very few private individuals—who are invading domains that until recently were the responsibility of states and organizations designated for such purposes by international treaties, starting with space—has made them so powerful that they presume to disregard, if not overturn, every rule," Mattarella said at the COTEC Italian Innovation Society's annual symposium in Venice. "New alleged actors of imponderable legitimacy, for a new international disorder. "Yet, every human activity calls for norms of behavior and relationships, a code, a grammar. Therefore, a clear issue of sovereignty arises, on matters involving the security of society and the rights of citizens." (ANSA). Read article...
Minetti conviction scrubbed after pardon probe
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 12 - A three year 11 month combined conviction of Silvio Berlusconi's former dental hygienist, ex People of Freedom Lombardy regional councillor and former bunga bunga protagonist Nicole Minetti for pimping and embezzling expenses was scrubbed Friday after fresh inquiries requested by President Sergio Mattarella found no grounds to reverse the pardon he granted her in February. Mattarella asked for the further investigations after an exposè by Italian daily il Fatto Quotidiano which quoted a Uruguayan masseuse who worked at a Punta del Este villa owned by Minetti's businessman boyfriend Giuseppe Cipriani as saying the former centre-right premier's ex acolyte had continued to host sex and drug laced parties. Il Fatto also said that the grounds for the pardon, that Minetti had to care for a gravely ill nine-year-old Uruguayan boy she and Cipriani adopted, were also false. Cipriani is suing il Fatto for over 200 million dollars in a bid he says to shut it down after the allegedly libellous claims made in the story on the masseuse. Minetti's sentence has been technically suspended and will be finally expunged if she commits no other crimes within five years, a Milan surveillance court said Friday. (ANSA). Read article...
President of the Republic of Malta: Let us protect the United Nations from efforts to destroy it
(ANSA) - LA VALLETTA, 09 GIU - "We must protect the United Nations from the efforts of those who want to destroy it." This was one of the most significant passages from the speech delivered by the President of the Republic of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, who last night attended the reception marking the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic (postponed by nearly a week to avoid overlapping with Malta’s May 30 election) organized by the Italian Embassy in the halls of the Dragonara Resort with the participation of approximately 400 guests, including nearly all the ambassadors of the diplomatic missions present in Malta and representatives of Italian and local business. Representing the new Maltese government were Interior Minister Glenn Bedingfield and Minister for Social Housing Owen Bonnici. Ambassador Valentina Setta, after summarizing President Mattarella’s speech for June 2, emphasized that “bilateral relations between Malta and Italy are stronger than ever.” In turn, President Spiteri Debono recalled last year’s visit to the Quirinale and confirmed that “Italy is our leading trading partner,” but that what also unites the two countries is their firm support for multilateralism. Read article...
Conflicts testing credibility of international organizations, says Italy's president
'It appears essential to defend the legacy of rules of cooperation and law established by the international community after World War II,' says Sergio Mattarella
Ambassador Ferranti met with the President of Armenia
(ANSA) - ROMA, 08 GIU - The Italian Ambassador to Yerevan, Alessandro Ferranti, was received by the President of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, on the occasion of the celebrations for Italian Republic Day. “In 1946, the Italian people faced a great responsibility in choosing the path their country would follow,” said the President. “The Italian people chose freedom and democracy. As an independent state, we made a similar choice in 1991, although many trials and challenges still lie ahead of us.” The President also highlighted the shared millennia-old historical heritage between Italy and Armenia, which today translates into shared common values inspired by the universal experience of Humanism. Ambassador Ferranti thanked the President for his hospitality, also conveying the warmest regards from the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. During the meeting, the parties had the opportunity to review issues related to the bilateral agenda between Armenia and Italy and the prospects for further development and deepening of cooperation between the two countries. The ambassador briefed the President on the latest data regarding economic cooperation, which has seen Italy emerge as Armenia’s leading trading partner among European Union countries in 2025. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation in the tourism sector, which benefits greatly from the five direct flight routes between Armenia and Italy. The need to further strengthen collaboration between Armenian and Italian universities was also emphasized, as well as in the cultural sphere, where Italy is considered a point of reference for Armenia, including for the preservation and promotion of historical and artistic heritage. Finally, during the meeting, the ambassador reaffirmed Italy’s support for the process of liberalizing Schengen entry visas for citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Read article...
Lincei Academy awards Feltrinelli prize to Gaza's Holy Family parish
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 8 - Italy's prestigious Accademia dei Lincei (Lincean Academy) announced Monday that the parish of the Holy Family Catholic church in Gaza was among the winners of its 2026 Feltrinelli Prizes. The academy said the parish was getting the award for "providing the entire civilian population of Gaza with all kinds of aid, from educational to healthcare assistance". The parish took in hundreds of refugees following the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. The parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, was among several wounded in a strike by Israeli forces on the church that killed three people last year. Before his death, Pope Francis had spoken by phone nearly every day with Romanelli to check up on the Gaza parish. Turin's Camminare Insieme association was also among the winners for its 'Medicina Senza Tetto' project to give free healthcare assistance to homeless people, people living in poverty, and migrants. The prizes, which are regarded as the Italian equivalent of the Nobel Prizes for their prestige and the financial reward given to the winners, will be officially presented on June 12 at a ceremony featuring President Sergio Mattarella. (ANSA). Read article...
Lincei Akademisi'nden Gazze'deki Kiliseye Feltrinelli ÖdülüCelebrations at the UN in New York for the 80th anniversary of the Republic
(ANSA) - NEW YORK, 05 GIU - This year’s celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Republic Day at the UN in New York were particularly heartfelt, with the participation of approximately 700 guests, including ambassadors and delegates from countries of the international community, as well as UN and Italian officials at the United Nations. Hosting the event was the Permanent Representative, Ambassador Giorgio Marrapodi, who recalled the words of President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella on the deep bond between the values of the Italian Republic and those of the United Nations, highlighting Italy’s commitment across all areas of UN action. Marrapodi mentioned the participation of Italian soldiers in missions to maintain international peace and security in high-risk contexts, Italy’s 2026–2028 term on the Human Rights Council, and its contribution to initiatives promoting sustainable development, noting in this regard the organization of the Conference on the Sustainable Development Goal of Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions on June 17 in New York. The Chief of Staff to the UN Secretary-General, Courtenay Rattray, extended his congratulations on this important anniversary, along with words of great appreciation for Italy’s role in the United Nations. During the evening, the Music4D Orchestra, coordinated by the Scarlatti Conservatory of Palermo, performed the Italian national anthem and excerpts from iconic soundtracks of Italian cinema. Two digital exhibitions highlighted the achievements of key female figures in Italian history: 'Women of the Republic: 80 Years of Achievements in the ANSA News 1946–2026' and 'A Life for Sport: The Faces and Achievements of 100 Experts,' the latter conceived and produced by the Bracco Foundation. Chefs and restaurateurs from renowned Italian food and wine companies operating in New York prepared special dishes to celebrate the inclusion of Italian cuisine on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the establishment, by consensus following an Italian initiative at the UN in 2025, of the International Day of the Mediterranean Diet. Read article...
BM'de İtalya Cumhuriyeti'nin 80. Yılı Coşkuyla Kutlandı