Addis Ababa – The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella is on a State visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (until March 20) accompanied by the Minister of Education, University and Research, Stefania Giannini and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for International Cooperation, Mario Giro. The first official engagement in Addis Ababa saw the Italian delegation meet at the Presidential Palace with President Mulatu Teshome. After the execution of the National Anthems and the Military Honors, the two Heads of State entertained in a conversation expanded to their official delegations. Subsequently, President Mattarella met Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and participated in a breakfast offered in his honor. In the afternoon, the Head of State is scheduled to meet with the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarchate, His Holiness Abune Matthias I. At the local Italian Cultural Institute, President Mattarella is then expected to inaugurate the Auditorium “G. Verdi” and attend the opera concert performed by soprano Felicia Bongiovanni. In the evening, the Head of State will attend the State Dinner offered in his honor by President Mulatu Teshome. (9Colonne)
