The Secretary-General met today with a range of Italian officials.
In his meeting with H.E. Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italy, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation for Italy’s support to the United Nations, including through its contributions to the UN’s peacekeeping efforts and humanitarian and development assistance.

The Secretary-General and the President also exchanged views on the situations in Syria, Mali and Libya as well as tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The Secretary-General also met the Prime Minister of Italy, H.E. Mr. Mario Monti. They exchanged views on the worsening situation in Syria. The Secretary-General underscored the urgent need for a political solution to the crisis.

The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister also exchanged views on developments in Mali and the wider Sahel region, including the efforts of his Special Envoy for the Sahel, Romano Prodi. They also discussed progress towards peace consolidation in Libya and Somalia and the status of the Middle East peace process.

With less than 1,000 days left to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the Secretary-General called for concerted international efforts to help accelerate progress, noting that he also counted on Italy’s strong participation in defining the post-2015 development agenda.

In his meeting with H.E. Ms. Laura Boldrini, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation for Italy’s cooperation with the United Nations, including its contribution to development assistance. The Secretary-General and the President of the Chamber of Deputies further discussed and expressed concern over the worsening crisis in Syria and the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The Secretary-General also met today with H.E. Mr. Pietro Grasso, the President of the Senate of Italy. The Secretary-General and the Senate’s President exchanged views on the Rule of Law and international justice.  

The Secretary-General met today with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, H.E. Mr. Staffan de Mistura. The Secretary-General and the Deputy Foreign Minister exchanged views on the situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region, including the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Sahel, Romano Prodi. They also discussed Somalia and Libya and international support to Afghanistan beyond 2014. The Secretary-General thanked Italy for its consistent support to the three countries. The Secretary-General and the Deputy Foreign Minister also discussed the worsening situation in Syria and the Middle East peace process.