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The Italian Government has welcomed the recent political changes in Somalia, calling it “a real turning point in the history of Somalia.” Mogadishu Axad 21 October 2012 SMC
The Italian Government has welcomed the recent political changes in Somalia, calling it “a real turning point in the history of Somalia.” In an exclusive interview with Bar-kulan, the Italian Ambassador and Special Delegate to Somalia Andrea Mazzella said the election of the new Parliament, new President and the appointment of a new Prime Minister inside Somalia represent a real turning point in the Somalia history. “We think that the selection of the new Parliament in Somalia and not abroad and the election of the new President, Speaker and now also the appointment of the Prime Minister, who has obtained the confidence vote of the Parliament, represent a real turning point in the Somali history with the new legitimacy in the political process that started in 2004 with the beginning of Somali transition,” said Mazzella. He said this turning point is also a new start for Somalia, adding that his Government is fully engaged in supporting the new institutions that have risen up in Somalia. “This concept has been stressed by our Prime Minister Monti during the Mini-Summit on Somalia on 26th September in New York where he has encouraged the Somali institutions and Somali people to go ahead on these achievements and to consolidate the peace and stability in Somalia,” added Mazzella. Mazzella emphasized Italian role in Somalia, saying that his Government has been assisting the war-tone country in different fields, including infrastructure, health and sanitation sectors in Somalia through the Novation Agreement, and the payment of 3,200 Somali soldiers through the Italian African Peace Facility as well as AMISOM. The Italian Ambassador to Somalia stated that such supports will be released towards UNOPS which has been identified as the agency that will work with the money provided through the Novation Agreement: about $15 million for the health and sanitation sector and for the infrastructure sector. On humanitarian issues, the Ambassador said Italy is committed in answering the needs of the Somali people, adding that his country supports programmes in 12 hospitals among all Somalia territories to assist the population “in this difficult moment”. He said Italy is asking at very high level the whole international community to put in place a quick response plan to answer the needs of the population. The Ambassador says that, despite the international community with AMISOM faces threats from the Shabaab, which has been reduced militarily, Italy is in favour of a civilian strategy in answering the needs of the population, as strategies implemented only by military means are not enough for Somalia. Mazzella revealed that his Government is working on plans rehabilitate the De Martino hospital in Mogadishu, saying that the resources to rehabilitate this hospital are already in place in UNOPS account, expressing his optimism that the rehabilitation process will soon kick off. Mazzella also noted that they are working on new programmes for Somali students in studying Italian culture, but for now security in the country remains an issue. “We are actually working on new programmes, training programmes for students. Of course this does not involve immediately University programmes. But we want the Somali youth to have the possibility to study in Italian and to have a training in Italy. How to do this, in the present security condition, is the problem we have to solve. We are thinking about streaming programmes, radio and Television programmes that will allow the Somalis who are interested in the Italian culture to study and to go on in their training on Italian culture,” said Mazzella. On issues regarding Italian diplomatic mission in Somalia, Ambassador Mazzella said Italy will have its embassy reopened in Mogadishu once security situation in the city and around Somalia is in place. “As you know we already have some logistical assets in the Mogadishu airport but I suppose the Italian Embassy in Somalia could be reopened only when the security conditions in Somalia and in Mogadishu especially will be in place and that is why I think we have to support the new President in achieving security in Mogadishu and all around Somalia. This is absolutely the first priority. After security is achieved, the Italian Embassy and all other Embassies can be established and reopened in Mogadishu” said the Ambassador. Ambassador Mazzella however refuted claims that Italian influence in Somalia has decreased and instead said they still continue helping Somalia to develop, normalize and stabilise. “I wouldn’t say that the influence of Italy is decreasing; of course this is different historical moment. The colonial period is over and Italy is trying to help Somalia to walk on its own legs,” he said. The Ambassador urged the new Government to spare no efforts in building an effective Federal State in the frame of united Somalia and discourage any fragmentation based on the federalist agenda by partners willing to support Somalia. “This is our main point or policy and the preservation of the unity of the Somali Federal State is an essential principle if we truly want to turn the page and leave Somalia’s past instability behind us,” said Ambassador Mazzella. The Ambassador ruled out competing with Turkey in issues of Somalia, noting Turkey’s role in the Horn of Africa nation. “I don’t think that the role of Turkey and the role of Italy in Somalia are in competition. We are not competitors with Turkey”. He said the Italian interest over Somalia is to have larger number of countries contributing to the stabilisation, the peace process and the development of the country, saying that Turkey and other countries are very well welcomed. “Turkey showed a relevant effort until now and my vows are that Turkey can continue on this line helping Somali people to reach better condition of living”. Listen the full interview below. (Read more) Web Updating, Somaliweyn Website
Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC)
Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC)
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