Italian President Sergio Mattarella emphasized the strong relationship between Italy and Germany during his three-day state visit to Berlin. Speaking alongside German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bellevue Palace, Mattarella called for a stronger and more united EU to tackle international challenges. He highlighted Germany as an essential partner for Italy in various aspects of co-existence and cooperation.
Mattarella also warned against political populism and stressed the importance of maintaining dignity and international law in seeking peace in Ukraine. He arrived in Germany with his daughter Laura and held talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his visit. The pair discussed important European issues.
The itinerary for Mattarella’s visit included a trip to Cologne and Bonn to visit the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat and attend a conference on climate change cooperation between Germany and Italy. The visit will conclude with a service in Italy to mark the 80th anniversary of the Marzabotto massacre, where at least 770 Italian civilians were killed by Waffen SS troops in 1944.
President Steinmeier expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend the commemoration with Mattarella and recognized the deep wounds left by the crimes committed by the SS and Wehrmacht in Italy. Mattarella expressed deep humility in attending the event and emphasized the importance of honoring the victims of such atrocities.
The visit ultimately highlighted the importance of strong diplomatic ties between Italy and Germany and the shared commitment to upholding dignity and peace in international relations.
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