It is a honor and pleasure to celebrate today with the people of Pakistan the Italian 69th Republic Day. June 2nd is the day when Italy remembers the institutional referendum held by universal suffrage in 1946, in which the Italian people were called to the polls to decide on the form of government. Just after coming out the tragic World War II, a democratic Republic was chosen and Italy was refunded in a modern and democratic sense. Few years later, Italy became a founding and proud member of what is now the European Union.
Since 1948, when the first Italian Ambassador to Pakistan landed in the then capital city, Karachi, bilateral relations between our two countries have progressed on a path of solid friendship. I feel privileged and honoured to serve as an Ambassador in a Country with which Italy has friendly and longstanding relations. Our political ties are strong, based on a common vision of global peace and stability both at bilateral and multilateral level. Our economic relations have been growing over time, with Italy now being the 10th commercial partner of Pakistan. Italy has always stood close to Pakistan in times of emergency and is currently supporting this Country through technical assistance, with 280 million dollars worth package, for significant co-operation schemes. All the more, cultural co-operation makes Italy and Pakistan very close to each other, contributing to bridge gaps in mutual knowledge. Archaeology, art, literature, music are the sector where the links between our two countries are most prominent. While ties between Italy and Pakistan are historical ones, we are committed on building up on the past achievements to further cement our reciprocal engagement. I wish our Countries to keep on progressing along this path of mutual co-operation and reciprocal enrichment.
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