In the past few months, I have had the opportunity to underline that in 2007 our activities have been very positive insofar as the Italian-Saudi relations are concerned, particularly with regard to the high level of political contacts, increased commercial exchanges, and the signature of six bilateral Agreements. Based on these results, we have continued our efforts to enhance and consolidate bilateral relations and discuss the initiatives pertaining to these Agreements.

In fact, even though 2007 was an election year in Italy, it was possible to assure continuity to the contacts: the visit of a delegation led by the Mayor of Milan, Ms. Letizia Moratti, last February and the participation of the Minister for Economic Development, Claudio Scajola, and the President of ENI, Paolo Scaroni, in the Jeddah Energy Conference, in June 2008, represent significant examples in this regard. On the Saudi side, some representatives of the  Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities have visited Siena in May while executives from SIDCO (Saudi Italian Development Company) have visited Milan, Bologna and Trieste in July.

In the cultural field, a Joint Commission has selected thirty young Saudis who will attend Italian language courses at the University of Siena for Foreigners, thus benefiting from the scholarship offered yearly by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in this context it must be underlined the Cultural Section of the Embassy organized Courses of Italian language and Civilization, too). Contacts are now underway with various Saudi competent bodies and with our Ministry of Culture to organize the second edition of “Nawafeth - Soglie”  in Rome, following the success of the first edition of the exhibition, hosted by the National Museum of Riyadh in May last year.

With regard to the Italian community present in Saudi Arabia, the procedures for the establishment of the Cultural and Recreational Association of Riyadh “OasItalia” as well as the Association of Italian Entrepreneurs have been finalized. In the upcoming weeks, it will be possible to lay down the 2008 / 2009  program of activities 2008-2009 for which the Embassy will extend as much support as possible.

This year’s 2nd of June National Day was marked by a particularly relevant participation; the occasion represented an additional sense of pride, for the coincidence with the 60th anniversary of our Constitution.  During the celebration I had the opportunity to bestow decorations, this time on two Italian businessmen very actively present in Saudi Arabia for some decades, and on two Saudi officials who gave us particular help in our cultural activities. The distribution of the text of the Constitution was particularly praised by our guests.

Finally, I am pleased to underline the steady increase in the number of visas issued by our Visa Section. This in fact reflects the interest of our Saudi friends in visiting Italy for business and / or tourism purposes. It also underlines the professional performance of the staff of this Section.

I avail myself of this opportunity to wish everybody a happy summer vacation and many blessings for the holy month of Ramadan.

Riad, July 2008

Eugenio d’Auria
Ambassador

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