(August 22, 2017) In 2016 the Italian Consulate in Basel issued 6,366 passports, 993 more than the previous year, placing itself in the eighth place in the entire network, preceded by consulates of London, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Zurich , Caracas, Stuttgart and Paris. This is what the Italian Consulate in Basel emphasizes. The data emerge from the Statistical Yearbook of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, published in recent weeks. An opportunity for Consul Michele Camerota to make a statement and a report: “This achievement is the result of the important teamwork of all the staff since for issuing a passport means that the marital status of the fellow countryman ( Residence, marriage, children, divorces, etc.) is generally updated and in order “. “For passports – adds Camerota – we now offer over 7,500 appointments per year, with a weekly average of 145 to 170 depending on the demand of the users, notoriously higher in the periods before the holidays, although having an always valid document is the duty and interest of the citizen and is not only needed to go on vacation. There are a lot of cases where fellow countrymen come at the last moment, forcing us to resort to emergency procedures to meet their needs. From April 2016 – continues the Console – there was not a single day where appointments were not available within 30 days, with an average availability of up to 10 days and currently also on the same day. It is also worth remembering that our network issues passports at the moment, in less than 20 minutes. In Basel – he said – assistance has been greatly enhanced, both by email and at our premises, for those who do not know, do not or do not want to book the appointment online, although it is possible to conveniently choose the day and the time based on availability”. The priority given to issuing passports has not overlooked other services, and in the first half of 2017, we see an increase of more than 13% of ID cards issued with halved waiting times (excluding counted stocks not withdrawn by nationals ); The registration of civil status records takes place much faster (+ 60%), while the increase in notarial acts and citizenship is consolidated. “The issues that remain regarding our phone services – the Console resumes – despite the changes made to the system, unfortunately can not see further improvements with the resources given, so we call on the collaboration of the compatriots. In fact, most of the telephone requests would be easy and straightforward on our website, completely renewed, enriched and always updated (we will also launch the German version of passports shortly). We have put in place an important external communications work, including a dynamic Facebook page with up-to-date information on major services, news and events that affect the community. We are aware that a part of our fellow Italians – often the elderly – do not connect to the internet but they can rely on a rooted network of relationships (correspondent consuls, patrons, family members) while the reality we see tells us paradoxically that so many technologically equipped people sometimes make little or no effort to inquire. The Farnesina motto „inform yourself and inform us“ is in the interest of the citizen to allow the offices to serve the compatriots faster and more efficiently. (Red)
