Mogadishu – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Paolo Gentiloni received today at the Farnesina the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia Omar Abdirashid Ali Shamarke, accompanied by chief ministers of his government. The bilateral talks were preceded by a Country Presentation on Somalia, organized in collaboration with Confindustria Assafrica and Mediterraneo. Gentiloni confirmed the “renewed attention of Italy for the African continent”, as witnessed by the numerous and frequent visits of Italian authorities to the area, and the first Italy-Africa Ministerial Conference scheduled in Rome on 18 May. “2016 is a crucial year for Somalia’s political process, and Italy will continue to support political efforts in favor of the stabilization process,” said the Minister, stressing the importance of respecting the timetable for parliamentary and presidential elections, and for the review of the interim constitution. Minister Gentiloni also announced that funds from Italian development cooperation to Somalia, considered a priority country, will increase from €14 million in 2015 to about €21 million in 2016. A priority initiative is the training sessions by the Carabinieri in the framework of the European missions. (9Colonne)
