Rome, 16 Sept. (LaPresse) – Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s meeting with the Russian ambassador? “The meeting was originally intended as a meeting with Italian companies operating in Russia, and I find that the most natural thing in the world. I recall that we have a standing working group at the Foreign Ministry, which has been in place for two years, focusing on companies operating in Russia – because, as you know, there are sanctions affecting certain sectors, but there has never been an outright ban on doing business in Russia. So clearly, as we support Italian companies in any context and through any difficulties, we support these as well. And so, just as the Foreign Ministry does, if Deputy Prime Minister Salvini wishes to organise an initiative with them, in my view there is nothing strange about it. And I’ll go further: in fact, there is nothing particularly strange about the Russian ambassador’s presence either, because we have a duly accredited Russian diplomatic mission in Italy. We have not severed diplomatic relations with Russia; I think that is clear to everyone. And so it follows that this duly accredited diplomatic mission is in contact with the Italian authorities.” So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a press conference at Palazzo Chigi following the Council of Ministers meeting.
Russia, Meloni: “Salvini’s meeting with the ambassador? Diplomatic relations have not been severed”
Rome, 16 Sept. (LaPresse) – Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s meeting with the Russian ambassador? “The meeting was originally intended as a meeting with Italian companies operating in Russia, and I find that the most natural thing in the world. I recall that we have a standing working group at the Foreign Ministry, which has been in place for two years, focusing on companies operating in Russia – because, as you know, there are sanctions affecting certain sectors, but there has never been an outright ban on doing business in Russia. So clearly, as we support Italian companies in any context and through any difficulties, we support these as well. And so, just as the Foreign Ministry does, if Deputy Prime Minister Salvini wishes to organise an initiative with them, in my view there is nothing strange about it. And I’ll go further: in fact, there is nothing particularly strange about the Russian ambassador’s presence either, because we have a duly accredited Russian diplomatic mission in Italy. We have not severed diplomatic relations with Russia; I think that is clear to everyone. And so it follows that this duly accredited diplomatic mission is in contact with the Italian authorities.” So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a press conference at Palazzo Chigi following the Council of Ministers meeting.