Somali President: “I welcome the Italian Government’s Commitment to Continue to Assist Somalia.”

Mogadishu, 29 June, 2014– His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today accepted the credentials of the new Italian ambassador to Somalia, Farbizio Marcelli. The Ambassador thanked H.E. the President for accepting his credentials and noted his government’s pleasure at having an ambassador in Mogadishu and a period of absence. He also conveyed a personal message from the Italian Government that expressed their intention to work closely with the Federal Government of Somalia to assist in the reconstruction of the country. H.E. the President commented: “I welcome the Italian government’s commitment to continue to assist Somalia.”

H.E. the President welcomed the ambassador, saying: “The Somali and Italian governments have a long relationship and I say to the new ambassador, strengthen that relationship. Even when Italy did not physically have an embassy here in Somalia, the commitment was still there and the projects to help the people continued.”

H.E. the President concluded by commenting: “The appointment of a new ambassador to Mogadishu is a sign of the continuing relationship between Italy and Somalia and I am pleased to accept the credentials of the new Italian ambassador.”